PIP: The Philippine Study and Training Center for Surgical Sterilization (STCSS) was established in August 1974 under the auspices of the Philippine General Hospital and the University of the Philippines College of Medicine to institutionalize surgical sterilization in the medical schools and family planning organizations. The success of the program is documented by the increase in acceptors from 1400 in 1974 to 49,000 in 1976 and from the increase in sterilization centers from 50 when the program began to 165 in 1975. Approximately 300 doctors have completed the program which provides a variety of procedures to the public. Follow-up evaluation trips made by the program staff members to program graduates allow the program to benefit from feedback on conditions under which the graduates work and thus to keep its content realistic and practical. Such visits also revealed the need to train not only a physician but also his or her support staff, and courses to this effect are currently being planned. This national training center is closely allied with the Philippine Sterilization Certifying Board and engages in a variety of research activities. Research findings and training materials have been published in 2 manuals.