services available. When they do visit health centers, there are no staff available to conduct family planning services, or commodities are unavailable or “out of the stock”. Specifically, the groups listed the following factors that hinder women in accessing RH services in their communities.  Lack of information on the services and good available, who to approach, how to avail, etc. (cited by almost all the Regions)  Geographical location of healthcare services. The farther the location is, the more difficult for healthcare clients to access these goods and services. (CAR, Regions 1,6, 9)  Negative experience due to unfriendly, insensitive, and discriminatory attitudes of service providers (CAR, Regions 1, 9)  Religion and cultural beliefs - traditional women opt to resort to culturally-based beliefs and practices. (CAR, Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12)  Women are discouraged because of the prevailing “palakasan system” wherein goods and services are extended only to those clients they know or favor.  The fear of spending too much on RH goods and services and the fear of generally submitting themselves for medical care also overpower the desire of these women to access RH services (Region 2).  Fear of the perceived side effects of contraceptives (Regions 4, 5).  Uncooperative male spouses / Partners are not supportive (Regions 5, 9, 10, 12)  Stigma against persons with sexually transmitted diseases /HIV. (Region 6) Behavior and outlook of health service providers Although not generalizing, almost all the Regions cited examples of negative attitudes from some health personnel / service providers. Among the behaviors noted were:  Some health workers in barangays do not explain very well the things that need to be explained regarding RH.  Insensitivity of some Barangay Health Workers to the PWDs and elderly has been noted. 89