QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 307)
EO 307 cites: (1) Section 15, Article II (State protects and promotes right to health and instills health consciousness); (2) Section 3, Article XV (State defends the rights of spouses to found a family, the rights of children, the rights of the family, and the right of families/family associations to participate in planning and implementation of policies affecting them); and (3) the Local Government Code, particularly Sections 16 and 17 on LGU responsibility for health and related basic services.
EO 307 invokes: Section 15, Article II on the right to health; and Section 3, Article XV, which includes protection of the spouses’ right to found a family in accordance with religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood, and related family rights.
They establish LGU primacy in promoting people’s health and safety (Sec. 16) and making LGUs responsible for providing basic services and facilities, including health services, family planning services, and population development services (Sec. 17). EO 307 therefore directs local chief executives to implement the family planning program.
EO 307 directs local chief executives: governors and mayors of component cities and municipalities (under their supervision), and mayors of highly urbanized cities and independent component cities.
LGUs must promote it as a priority government program through advocacy activities, vigorous and sustained participation of local officials in program management, use of local facilities and local service providers/employees, and utilization of other local resources and expertise.
It requires that information on and services for all methods, including Natural Family Planning endorsed by the program, be available at appropriate service outlet levels, adhering to national program standards of quality of care.
It mandates that practice of family planning is purely voluntary—based on freedom of conscience and respect for the sanctity of life.
It reflects the constitutional protection of freedom of conscience and the spouses’ right to found a family in accordance with religious convictions, consistent with responsible parenthood and democratic ideals.
Section 4 requires LGUs to provide necessary budgetary support for the family planning program—an express obligation to allocate funds.
LGUs must coordinate with and seek assistance from national agencies, particularly the Department of Health, and members of the Population Commission, because these agencies are involved in the Philippine Family Planning Program.
Under Section 6, LGUs are directed to coordinate and encourage their involvement in the program, in the spirit of public-private sector partnership.
No. EO 307 explicitly states in Section 3 that family planning practice must be purely voluntary, based on freedom of conscience and respect for the sanctity of life.
EO 307 includes NFP as one of the methods whose information and services must be made available, provided it is endorsed by the program and offered in accordance with quality-of-care standards.
It means family planning information/services must be available at the proper service facility levels within the health system (e.g., corresponding to local service structures). Legally, it is a directive requirement to ensure accessibility and availability consistent with program standards.
EO 307 states it takes effect immediately. “Immediately” implies that LGUs should begin implementation without waiting for a further effective date or enabling law, subject to practical budgeting and coordination needs.
It emphasizes arresting high infant and maternal mortality and implementing an earnest Philippine Family Planning Program, stressing safe motherhood and child survival.
It states that family planning is part of nationally mandated priority public health concerns and is a critical component of the Philippine Population Management Program, aimed at achieving population levels conducive to improving individual and family welfare and attaining sustainable development for “Philippines 2000.”