by Theresa Arlene A. Gambe
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–In commemoration of the approval of Executive Order (EO) 171 s. 1969, the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom)-10 celebrated its 54th year anniversary with the theme, “Katuwang ng Lokal na Pamahalaan sa Pagpaunlad ng Pamilya at Pamayanan.”
In the most recent episode of Talakayan sa PIA, the commission talked about how important it is for the local government units (LGU) and the media to work together to strengthen the programs of the agency in the community.
“Karon nga tuig, nakita namo ang importansya gyud—dako na role sa pag-coordinate, ang partnership between Popcom and the local government units (LGU) aron mapahingusgan nato ang atong mga programa diha sa komunidad,” said Popcom-10 Assistant Regional Director Richmond Charles G. Gajudo.
(This year, we really realized the importance of the huge role in coordinating partnerships between Popcom and the local government units in order for us to optimize the programs in the community)
Gajudo further mentioned that population plays a crucial role and is a factor in the country’s development and that there is a need for LGUs to integrate and incorporate the said factors in their local government plans.
He also underscored the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP) or ‘PopDev Program’ as a thrust for achieving the optimal population growth rate to influence economic and social development from localities to the national setting.
On PopDev programs
Under the Philippine Population and Development Program (PPDP), also known as PopDev Program, the commission explained the relation of population to the economy and its impact on society, explaining that if there is a large working population, it will generate income and translate to a vibrant economy.
“Kung daghan ang gatrabaho, daghan ang naa’y income, taas pud ang savings; mas vibrant ang atong economy. Mao nang importante kayo nga ang atong working-age population matagaan gayud nato sa ilang kihinanglanon: maayong kalidad sa edukasyon, maayo nga panglawas. Education and health will go together. And then, when they reach that point of working age, kinahanglan matagaan jud sila sa oportunidad sa pagpanarbaho aron mahimo gyud sila na productive citizens sa atong nasud,” Gajudo added.
(If a lot of people are working, a lot of people will have income and also a lot of savings; our economy will be more vibrant. That is why it is very important that our working-age population be given all the support they need, such as quality education and a healthy body. Education and health will go together. Then, when they (youth) reach that point of working age, they have to be given the opportunities to work in order to become productive citizens in our nation)
He further discussed that to give focus on the aspect of population and development, the PPDP had been divided into components: responsible parenthood and family planning (RPFP), adolescent health and development (AHD), and PopDev integration with the LGU on the implementation of PopDev campaigns.
With three components as its focus, Popcom aims to empower the labor force and become part of it through a series of programs such as family planning within the demands of responsible parenthood, the prevention of unintended pregnancies among adolescents and protection from their negative consequences, and the integration of population variables in government planning.
“Ang tao ang pinaka-importante na yaman”—a very important resource of the family, the community, and the country at large. Kung ang tao ma provide-an nimo sa sakto na panginahanglanon, ma-develop nimo iyang skills, matagaan nimo siya og maayo nga panglawas, sakto na edukasyon, makasigurado ka na ang usaka tao can contribute to the economic development,” he said.
(A human being is the most important treasure and a very important resource for the family, the community, and the country at large. If a person is given the right support, has their skills developed, and is helped to have a healthy body and the right education, you can guarantee that that person can contribute to economic development)
As Popcom keeps making plans and programs through the PPDP, the agency will work with the different LGUs in the region to make sure that the PopDev integration fits the needs of each local community. (TAAG/PIA-10)
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