PURR
Partnering for population management
Harold Alfred Marshall, NCIP Director
Alfonso Catolin and Popcom Director
Vicente Molejona.
In 1903, the country's population was only 7.6 million. In 2007, our population jumped to 88.57 million, showing that we grew 10-fold in less than a century. The significant growth of the Philippine population is felt in the worsening environment conditions, rice shortage and economic difficulties that make Filipinos poorer.
It is the Population Commission's task to help in slowing down population growth through various measures like dissemination of information on family planning. But, the Popcom cannot do this alone. Thus, it partnered with several non-government agencies, through a Memorandum of Understanding, for the NGOs to deliver projects with the Popcom's assistance. These NGOs will conduct projects in responsible parenthood movement-natural family planning to couples of reproductive age. To assist these NGOs, the Popcom has provided financial assistance to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples 6, Taos Puso Foundation, Development through Active Women Networking Foundation, Inc. and the Association of Disabled Persons of Iloilo recently. Popcom Regional Director Vicente Molejona turned over the checks containing 60 percent of the agreed assistance. Popcom has pledged to give P750,000 to ADPI; P500,000 to DAWN; P750,000 to Taos Puso and P1-million to NCIP, a non-government agency.
Harold Alfred Marshall, ADPI's Leeno
Villaluna & president Reynaldo
Sobrepena and Popcom Director
Vicente Molejona.
Before the turnover, we learned that Popcom is now pushing for the modern or scientific natural planning method to couples. Couples are now encouraged to practice this instead of the traditional natural planning method. It will also reduce the expenses of the couples for they would no longer rely on pills, condoms and IUDs in birth prevention. Before, these were given free by foreign organizations. Later on, they withdraw their aid and have asked the public to buy. Thus, it would be an added burden for the couples. Whereas, the modern natural family planning method is foul-proof and can be done at no cost at all.