ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) -- A total of 59 women in the province of Romblon recently availed themselves of free bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) services provided by the DKT Philippines Foundation, the Provincial Health Office of Romblon, and the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Mimaropa.

BTL is a permanent family planning method for women, wherein the fallopian tubes are cut and tied to prevent the egg cell and sperm cell from meeting.

The two-day free service is part of the Pamilyang MIMAROPAN Caravan, the government's initiative to promote family planning among families in the region.

According to CPD Mimaropa regional director Reynaldo O. Wong, CPD, along with local government units, has been delivering family planning services, particularly permanent methods, in far-flung areas in the region since the end of the pandemic.

One beneficiary, Linlin, a mother of four, traveled for 10 hours to reach the Romblon Provincial Hospital from Sibuyan Island specifically for the BTL procedure.

According to her, who became a mother at the age of 17, they tried other family planning methods such as pills, injectables, and implants, but she and her partner decided to opt for a permanent solution. They want to focus on their children now as a couple.

The 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) revealed that Filipino women, on average, have one child more than they intended, with figures highest among women from the lowest wealth quintile and lowest educational attainment.

The survey mirrors Linlin's reason and that of the other 58 beneficiaries, who all hailed from the towns of Sta. Fe, Odiongan, Calatrava, Alcantara, Cajidiocan, and Sta. Maria.

According to CPD Mimaropa, interested women to avail free BTL and No Scalpel Vasectomy in the future may register at the nearest health center in their towns or through this link: https://bit.ly/MIMAROPAListahan. (PJF/PIA Mimaropa - Romblon)