Commission on Population and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region

15/10/2026

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET- The Commission on Population and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (CPD CAR) and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Benguet formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) yesterday at the Provincial Capitol of Benguet solidifying their commitment to support the implementation of the Regional Population and Development Plan of Action (RPD-POA) 2023-2028.

CPD CAR Regional Director Reynaldo O. Wong and Benguet Governor Dr. Melchor D. Diclas led the signing, which establishes a collaborative mechanism between the two parties to pursue population and development strategies that optimize demographic opportunities and address prevailing population issues in the province.

The partnership takes root in a shared vision of improving the capacity of the youth through education, communication, and training equipping them with knowledge and skills to thrive amidst current and emerging concerns impacting their productivity. These include rising early pregnancy cases, increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and other non-sexual risky behaviors such as substance abuse, online addiction, and physical abuse.

The RPD-POA 2023-2028 serves as the main blueprint for population and development efforts in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The plan was crafted through a collaborative effort spearheaded by CPD CAR, in partnership with members of the Cordillera Regional Population and Development Coordinating Committee formerly known as the Regional Population Executive Board. It aims to promote responsible parenthood and family planning, advance adolescent health and development, support labor force empowerment and healthy ageing, integrate population agenda in sectoral development, accelerate inclusive development among marginalized sectors, and strengthen people-centered regional and local development.

14/10/2026

For the month of October, the Commission on Population and Development Cordillera Administrative Region joins the nation in the commemoration of the 29th IPRA Anniversary Celebration with the theme “Empowering Indigenous Peoples: Strengthening Rights, Culture, and Ancestral Domains (Pagpapalakas ng mga Katutubo: Pagtataguyod ng Karapatan, Kultura at Lupaing Ninuno)”.

This celebration is mandated through Proclamation No. 1906 declaring the month of October of every year as National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month and Proclamation No. 486 declaring October 29 of every year as National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day.

14/10/2026

BONTOC,MT. PROVINCE-On October 8, 2026, the Commission on Population and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (CPD CAR) together with the Provincial Government Unit of Mt. Province through the Provincial Population Development Office conducted a courtesy visit with Vice Governor Jose O. Dominguez for their continued support to population development programs in the province.

Part of the meeting with Vice Governor Dominguez is the declaration of the population growth rate in Mt. Province and the technical assistance that can be provided to their office.

14/10/2026

BAGUIO CITY-The Commission on Population and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (CPD CAR) commends the Local Government Unit of Baguio for integrating population characteristics into its newly developed Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), spearheaded by the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office (CPDSO).

Full Story Link: https://car.cpd.gov.ph/cpd-car-commends-baguios-integration-of-population-characteristics-in-its-social-vulnerability-index/

14/10/2026

SAGADA, MT. PROVINCE-Following various meetings in the municipality of Bontoc, Commission on Population and Development Cordillera Administrative Region (CPD CAR) Director
Reynaldo O. Wong also conducted a courtesy visit with the Local Government Unit of Sagada represented by Vice Mayor David T. Buyagan on October 8,2026.

The discussions regarding population development, youth programs, and sustainable local governance commenced with Dir. Wong emphasizing the importance of using demographic systems such as the Registry of Barangay Inhabitants and Migrants (RBIM) to map out the youth and working age population in the municipality.

RBIM is a database system designed by CPD to generate demographic and socio-economic information that can be useful for evidence-based planning of the barangays. It also provide small scale and large scale database for communities, biometrics for data management and analysis as well.

13/10/2026

LIVE NOW: Episode 28, Season 2 | Indigenous Month! Let's check on their reproductive health

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

During the recently concluded Regional Conference on Family Planning, Commission on Population and Development CAR Regional Director Reynaldo O. Wong in his session underscored the strategic role of Population and Development (POPDEV) in securing a sustainable future through demographic foresight and demographic resilience. Grounded in the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPD-POA) and aligned with AmBisyon Natin 2040, the framework emphasizes enhancing individuals’ capacity to do and to drive regional economic transformation. To achieve this, key challenges must be systematically addressed, including uneven population distribution, high fertility rates among poor and less-educated women, adolescent pregnancy, and elevated maternal mortality.

Local Programs, Projects, and Activities are structured around three core pillars: Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP), Adolescent Health and Development (AHD), and Population and Development Integration/Social Development. Demographic trends in CAR indicate a rising median age, signaling a transition from a youthful demographic to a steadily ageing population. Based on 2024 POPCEN data, Benguet holds the largest population in the region, while Apayao has the smallest at 127,000, and Kalinga recorded the fastest growth rate. While the regional annual population growth rate stands at 0.91%, poverty incidence shows a steady decline. Overall fertility continues to fall, with 46.1% of currently married women aged 15–49 expressing a desire to limit childbearing, though adolescent pregnancy remains a concern with 3 out of 100 women aged 15–19 having experienced pregnancy.

These demographic shifts carry major policy implications across multiple sectors. Demographically, the region must manage emergent population ageing, declining fertility, extended life expectancy, and potential demographic imbalances. Economically, strategies must navigate shifting dependency ratios, labor market dynamics, and evolving market demands while unlocking the demographic dividend. Socially, these changes place increasing demands on healthcare systems, require educational realignments and intensify urbanization and housing pressures. Addressing emergent population ageing remains a paramount priority to ensure adequate health, social safety nets, and support systems for older adults.