WORLD POPULATION DAY IN OLONGAPO

Olongapo City joins all nations in the world in observing World Population Day, this year on July 11, 2009. The theme, “Responding to Economic Crisis: Investing in Women is a Smart Choice,” is in line with Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.’s initiatives to raise public awareness and draw policy makers’ attention to population issues such as poverty, reproductive health, education and HIV/AIDS.

“A well managed population is a wealth of the City of Olongapo,” Virginia Navarro, City Population Commision (PopCom) Officer said over Subic Broadcasting Corporation dwGO AM radio.

The World Population Day celebration aims to educate women through responsible and proper family planning and birth spacing.

In connection with the activity, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has organized a one (1) day forum on July 10, 2009 at the FMA Hall, Olongapo City Hall Complex with Dr. Junice Melgar, Executive Director ng Likhaan Center for Women’s Health as the guest speaker.

Part of the celebration is a free Pap Smear test and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid for early detection of cancer to be administered by PopCom. A tubal ligation procedure is also scheduled on July 17, 2009 at James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital.

PopCom’s regular symposium on reproductive health and pre-marital sex in different schools in Olongapo City is still ongoing.

“Kapag nagkaroon ng kaalaman ang mga mamamayan tungkol sa family planning, ma-ipa-plano na rin nila ang kanilang buhay upang maka-ahon sa kahirapan at mabibigyan nila ang kanilang pamilya ng mas magandang kinabukasan,” Navarro said.

pao/nmm