VP: FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM IMPORTANT FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

Jakarta, Feb. 17 (ANTARA) - The family planning program plays an important role in boosting national development and economic growth, Vice President Boediono says.

"The family planning program continues to play an important role in preventing a population explosion," Boediono said when officially opening the National Congress of Population Development and Family Planning Program 2010, at the vice presidential palace, here on Wednesday.

Among those present in the event were State Apparatus Minister EE Mangindaan and Chairman of the National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN) Sugiri Syarief.

If Indonesia failed in implementing the Family Planning program, the country could face a population explosion which later would trigger social problems, he said.

Failure in the implementation of Family planning program could cause increases in unemployment and poverty rate as well as food shortage, he said.

He said Indonesia had made significant progress since the country implemented the Family Planning program.

The average population growth rate was 2.3 percent during 1971-1980 and decreased to 1.4 percent annually during the period of 1980-2000.

"Although we have achieved progress, we should not neglect it. The program must remain a national priority and play a role in the social and economic development," he said.

He reminded that the program should target not only the poor but all layers of the communities.

Boediono also called for intensified coordination between the central government and the regional governments in the Family Planning program implementation.

Meanwhile, BKKBN Chief Sugiri Syarief said his office has set a target of achieving new 7.1 million Family Planning users this year.