By Rose Palacio

Davao City (6 July) -- Dr. Sam Cruz, assistant city health officer, who spearheads the population program of CHO said the city's population and family planning organization of the Philippines will embark on a regular radio program to beef up the city's campaign on the growing population, responsible parenthood and family management.

Dr. Cruz said the Office of the Mayor is stepping up its drive to various districts in the city to form part of the upcoming celebration on August as Family Planning Month.

FPOP chapter manager Nandy Senoc, meanwhile, said an information drive has been planned to inform people in every district of the various FP services available to them.

Senoc said poor families need to plan their children, need to have correct management of their respective families and be responsible as parents to their children.

When you earn only P200 a day and have eight children, you will welcome any sort of relief that comes your way, he said.

FPOP cited "Aling Esme", who started taking contraceptive pills only after she had eight children when her husband's minimum wage could no longer meet the needs of their family.

Also cited was "Toto", a sidewalk vendor who underwent vasectomy after having five children. Toto got his vasectomy free from a health center.

Family income and expenditure surveys show that poor families with many children are unable to rise out of poverty. In 1992, poverty incidence among families with nine or more children stood at 52.6. In 2000, the figure for the same family size increased to 57.3.

Senoc said small families find it easier to meet their needs. Budgeting P200 among four children is easier than splitting the same amount among eight children.

Davao City's campaign is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's agenda in making Philippines as a world status.