ZAMBOANGA Fact-finding for Zamboanga City was done on April 13-14, 2016 and April 19-20, 2016. Five barangays were identified for the mission. They are Brgys. Masepla, Taluksangay, Ayala, Sangali, Tulungatung and Mangusu. The fact-finding team was divided into three. On April 13, Teams 1 and 2 covered Brgy. Masepla 1, 2, and 3; Team 3 covered Brgy. Taluksangay. On April 14, Team 1 covered Brgy. Ayala and Tulungatung; Team 2 covered Brgy. Sangali; and Team 3 covered Brgy. Mangusu. Validation and additional gathering was conducted on April 19-20, 2016 by members of the GFPS together with the HR management office personnel, CEWHRC OIC, and UNFPA representatives. During the fact-finding, the teams observed the following procedure: 1) conduct of an overview of RA 10354; 2) interview with participants about the RH concerns; 3) conduct of ocular in health centers in the identified barangays; 4) interview with BHWs, midwives and other related personnel; 5) validation of gathered information and additional data from institutions; and 6) charting of issues under identified categories. The public hearing was conducted after the fact-finding, on April 21, 2016. Its participants included various NGOs; IDPs of Brgys. Taluksangay and Masepla 3; personnel from CHO, POPCOM, Zamboanga City Medical Center, NCIP, DSWD, Brent Hospital and other LGU units. A total of 96 participants were present at the hearing. The fact-finding and public hearing took off from the results of the regional consultation in March 17, 2016, which surfaced the following RH issues on lack of awareness, inadequate information dissemination, inaccessibility due to distance, insufficient number of health workers, unsupportive spouse, unsupportive LGUs to health workers, insufficient contraceptive supply, cultural barriers, and financial constraints. Three key features of Zamboanga City reveal to be significant to the implementation of RH Law. First is the strong religiosity in the city, which has translated to resistance to the RH Law as it can be interpreted to conflict with the locals’ beliefs and practices. Second is the presence of armed conflict in the area which has resulted to the security concerns in some of its areas that discourages health workers from providing much needed services. Third is poverty in the area, which hinders people’s ability to access to RH goods and services. Based on the data from both the fact-finding mission and the public hearing, the following concerns are identified under the four RH issues: EFFECTIVENESS AND LEVELS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RH SERVICES AND INFORMATION 1. NATIONAL POLICY AS BARRIER TO LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION 45