ILOILO City — Western Visayas has surpassed the national average in the use of modern contraceptives as more couples embrace family planning and increasingly opt for smaller families, latest government data showed.
The region’s modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) climbed to 44.9 percent in 2025, slightly higher than the 44.5-percent national average, according to data from the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS).
The increase also marked an improvement from Western Visayas’ 44.2-percent mCPR in 2022, indicating growing acceptance and access to modern family planning methods across the region.
Nationwide, modern contraceptive use likewise increased significantly, from 41.8 percent in 2022 to 44.5 percent in 2025.
The changing family planning behavior in Western Visayas is also reflected in shrinking family sizes.
The average number of children per woman in the region dropped to 1.9 in 2025 from 2.2 in 2022, pointing to a growing preference among couples for smaller and more manageable families.
The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) in Western Visayas, however, stressed that there is no single family planning method appropriate for everyone.
According to CPD, the most suitable contraceptive method depends on several personal considerations, including an individual’s health condition, lifestyle and long-term family planning goals.
Couples therefore need to understand the different family planning methods available before deciding which one best suits their circumstances.
Modern contraceptive options include hormonal implants, intrauterine devices or IUDs, oral contraceptive pills, injectables and condoms, among others.
Each method has its own benefits and possible side effects, making access to accurate information and professional medical guidance important in choosing the appropriate option.
CPD Region 6 also underscored the importance of education in sustaining the gains in family planning, encouraging individuals and couples to seek reliable information and advice from healthcare providers.
Those experiencing side effects from a contraceptive method should not immediately stop using it without consulting a healthcare professional, the agency said. Healthcare workers can provide appropriate advice or recommend alternative methods when necessary.
CPD-6 said sustained education, community outreach and support would be crucial in maintaining Western Visayas’ gains and ensuring families have access to the information and services necessary to make informed decisions about parenthood.
The agency stressed that informed family planning choices could help couples better manage their resources and contribute to healthier families./PN
