THE PHILIPPINES: House to Double Aquino’s Family Planning Fund
The Manila Standard reported on 4 October that the Health Department has set aside P932 million for family planning and development next year, but Congress would work to double the funding for reproductive health to P2 billion, House Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said. On top of its budget, the Health Department would also be able to draw on a $1.2 million grant from UNFPA for reproductive health projects in the rural areas, said House Senior Assistant Majority Leader Janette Garin.
NIGERIA: 2006 Census – Lagos Raises Fresh Evidence to Dispute Figures
This Day reported on 4 October that Lagos State has raised fresh evidence in support of its claim that the population of the state is more than the 9,113,605 recorded for it by the Nigerian Population Commission after the 2006 head count. It relied on a 2001 report by UNFPA released which put the population of Lagos at 13.4 million at that time."Given the visible demographic, biological and social parameters on ground in the state, the population was expected to increase to well over 17 million in eight year," it added. Read: This Day