COMMISSION on Population (PopCom) Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez 3rd was reappointed as undersecretary for population and development, retaining his post as executive director. Perez was sworn in on July 1 by new PopCom Board Chairman Dr. Grace Cruz of the University of the Philippines-Population Institute.

With his renewed tenure, Perez

pledged the uninterrupted implementation of the country’s reproductive health and family planning programs, uphold sexual and reproductive health, and rights of couples, individuals and adolescents.

The PopCom chief added that his agency will present to the administration a new population policy based on family and population development indicators.

“In these policies, stable population growth rate [1.0 percent], single-digit population poverty rate and zero hunger at household levels will be the center of the Philippine population and development program for the years 2022-2028,” he said.

The commission will also pursue key policies on family planning for all and a living wage policy that will address regional poverty thresholds, he said.

PopCom is the country’s lead organization in population management.

It aims to empower Filipino individuals, families and communities by enabling them to achieve their fertility intentions, prevent adolescent pregnancies and consciously consider population factors in sustainable development initiatives.