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Philippines: UNFPA to subsidize USD 1 million
in contraceptives
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has allocated USD1.03
million to subsidize contraceptives in 10 provinces and one city
in the Philippines. Health Secretary, Manuel Dayrit said the programme
aims to prepare the public for the gradual withdrawal of free contraceptives
donated by UNFPA and the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID). Both organizations have said the free donations
will end in 2007.
Under the “transitional” programme with the UNFPA, a
local distributor has been designated to sell contraceptives at
subsidized prices in 10 provinces and one city. The local distributor
would also educate and train franchise outlets on family planning
and reproductive health to assist couples.
Mr. Dayrit stressed that while the Government was helping in the
distribution of artificial contraceptives in the country, it was
not in any way coercing couples to use them.
The Government of Philippine has shield away from aggressively promoting
the use of artificial contraceptives to help control the country’s
booming population due to opposition by the influential Catholic
Church.
Economists have warned that failure to curb the country’s
runaway population, which grows at an average of 2.36 per cent a
year, could drive more Filipinos into poverty.
(Source: Push Journal, 15 April via news@ippf.org)
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