Free Vasectomies At Manila's First Family Planning Fair

Seven children and nearly a decade later, Filipino garbage dump worker Jose Pagunsan is finally getting access to contraception that is legal and that he can afford: a free vasectomy.

Pagunsan is one of the men who has volunteered for the procedure on Friday at the first event to promote family planning in the city of Manila after a nine-year ban which ended with the departure of its mayor, a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church.

Because of the ban, condoms and other contraceptives have been in short supply in Manila, the seat of the federal government and capital of the Philippines, unlike in other cities in the country or other developing nations.

But the new mayor supports family planning, and making access to contraception in congested Manila easier.

"I really wanted to do this a long time ago because my wife's health has suffered due to multiple pregnancies and births," the 41-year-old Pagunsan says. "I don't know how and where to get this done. So, when social workers went to our house offering to do it free, I immediately jumped on the chance. I'm doing this for my family."

Marian Ciscar, a U.N. Population Fund programme officer, believes the contraception finally being offered in definitely a positive and says "It's not a matter of faith. Family planning is a human right."

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