(f) The State shall promote programs that: (1) enable individuals and couples to have the
number of children they desire with due consideration to the health, particularly of women,
and the resources available and affordable to them and in accordance with existing laws,
public morals and their religious convictions: Provided, That no one shall be deprived, for
economic reasons, of the rights to have children; (2) achieve equitable allocation and
utilization of resources; (3) ensure effective partnership among national government, local
government units (LGUs) and the private sector in the design, implementation, coordination,
integration, monitoring and evaluation of people-centered programs to enhance the quality of
life and environmental protection; (4) conduct studies to analyze demographic trends
including demographic dividends from sound population policies towards sustainable human
development in keeping with the principles of gender equality, protection of mothers and
children, born and unborn and the promotion and protection of women’s reproductive rights
and health; and (5) conduct scientific studies to determine the safety and efficacy of
alternative medicines and methods for reproductive health care development;
(g) The provision of reproductive health care, information and supplies giving priority to poor
beneficiaries as identified through the NHTS-PR and other government measures of
identifying marginalization must be the primary responsibility of the national government
consistent with its obligation to respect, protect and promote the right to health and the right
to life;
(h) The State shall respect individuals’ preferences and choice of family planning methods
that are in accordance with their religious convictions and cultural beliefs, taking into
consideration the State’s obligations under various human rights instruments;
(i) Active participation by nongovernment organizations (NGOs), women’s and people’s
organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, the religious sector and communities is
crucial to ensure that reproductive health and population and development policies, plans,
and programs will address the priority needs of women, the poor, and the marginalized;
(j) While this Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law, the government
shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortive complications and all other
complications arising from pregnancy, labor and delivery and related issues shall be treated
and counseled in a humane, nonjudgmental and compassionate manner in accordance with
law and medical ethics;
(k) Each family shall have the right to determine its ideal family size: Provided, however, That
the State shall equip each parent with the necessary information on all aspects of family life,
including reproductive health and responsible parenthood, in order to make that
determination;
(l) There shall be no demographic or population targets and the mitigation, promotion and/or
stabilization of the population growth rate is incidental to the advancement of reproductive
health;
(m) Gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health
and population and development;
(n) The resources of the country must be made to serve the entire population, especially the
poor, and allocations thereof must be adequate and effective: Provided, That the life of the
unborn is protected;