PARAÑAQUE CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday called on newlyweds and soon-to-be parents to practice family planning and responsible parenthood for them to live a productive and healthy married life.

In her Valentine’s Day message during the “62nd Pa-Wedding ni Tambunting” at the SM Bicutan Activity Center here, Duterte recalled her time as former mayor of Davao City when they identified reasons why some families cannot get out of poverty.

According to her, poor family planning and uncontrolled number of pregnancies are some of the reasons some families are stuck in poverty.

“Ang nangyayari, napakarami ng kanilang anak ay hindi na nila kayang pakainin ng maayos, at hindi na nila kayang pag-aralin. Kaya nagbabalik-balik ang kahirapan sa kanilang pamilya,” Duterte said.

“Doon po sa Davao City, umiikot po kami sa mga barangay. Paalala lagi sa mga magulang na kailangan pagplanuhan natin ang ating pag-anak dahil mahihirapan ang pamilya at kawawa ang mga anak ninyo kung hindi ninyo sila mapalaki ng maayos — hindi ninyo mabibigay ang gusto nila, at hindi ninyo sila mapagtapos ng pag aaral,” she added.

The Vice President also cited the “PagbaBAGo Campaign” — a program under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) with her visiting cities and towns across the country, distributing bags containing school supplies and dental kits to children while bringing the message of responsible parenthood.

With Duterte as concurrent Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), the campaign has already benefitted 3,720 students from eight remote areas in the country — Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, Jordan town in Island Province of Guimaras, Caramoan in Camarines Sur, Kidapawan City in North Cotabato, Siguijor Province, Dasmariñas in Cavite, Bangued in Abra, and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

The ‘PagbaBAGo’ campaign was Duterte’s program when she was still mayor of Davao City. It has been adopted by the Office of the Vice President for nationwide implementation.

Duterte lauded Parañaque 2nd District Representative Gus Tambunting and former Rep. Joy Tambunting for giving importance to civil weddings and for providing free services for couples who do not have the means to a wedding.

“Ang pagdiriwang na ito ay isang patunay sa pagsisikap ng ating mga pinuno ng gobyerno na tulungan ang mga mag-asawang Pilipino na magkaroon ng ganap na pagkilala at maging daan para sa isang tapat at panghabambuhay na pagsasama na mayroong proteksyon sa ilalim ng batas.”

OVP MEDIA