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Philippines to Launch TV Family Planning Program

Posted on: Friday, 14 January 2005, 09:00 CST

Philippines to launch TV family planning program

MANILA, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines is ready to launching a television program on family planning and responsible parenthood this month as a measure to control the country's large population, a local newspaper reported Friday.

According to the Philippine Star, the Department of Health would conducted the "aggressive" information campaign to achieve the government's goal of reducing the population growth rate from 2.3 percent to 1.9 percent over the next six years.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that her administration' s policy on population program conforms with the constitution.

In the devout Catholic country, the church is strongly against the artificial methods of birth control.

Arroyo said that Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit will implement this program in close coordination with non-government organizations and local government units.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye also said that there is no change in the government's policy on population, but simply a " question of stepping up the information campaign of the president. "

According to the government, the country's annual average increase of more than 5 percent in the gross national product has outstripped the 2.3 percent population growth rate.

It also said that the Philippine population is expected to exceed 93 million in the next five years.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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