A concrete proof to this attititude is the fact that there are now males who are willing to adopt family planning methods and no longer rely solely on their wives in the efforts to reduce the birth rate.

Marlene de Castro, staff of the Health and Development Resource Cooperation (HDRC) based at the Baguio Center for Young Adults (BCYA), said that since HRDC launched the advocacy for male family-planning methods in the region, 30 have already availed themselves of the vasectomy program.

It was learned that misconceptions were aired in the past about vasectomy, and these prevented the males from availing themselves of the service.

BCYA is happy to note that there are now more males who accept the method and had already undergone the non-scalpel vasectomy.

In the past, it was the sole responsibility of the wife to practice family planning.

BYCA said that convincing men to undergo vasectomy was not easy, and that it took time and efforts to explain to them the benefits of the procedure.

At present, there is an increasing involvement of the males in promoting non-scalpel vasectomy, and testimonies of the people who underwent vasectomy said that it was a good method because they no longer have to worry about another child in the family.

The non-scalpel vasectomy offered by the group can be availed of for free. With it, men can still perform well without having to subject their partners to health hazards.

The method is a 15-minute procedure that allows the patient to go back to his normal activity in two to three days.

The men who undergo vasectomy will continue to have urges and heights, contrary to some misconceptions.

With the free service now available in the city, BYCA is conducting a campaign to inform the public about the program, and how the males can do their share in family planning and protect the health of their partners.