BKKBN to retain functions

JAKARTA: In a bid to keep its public services intact, the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) plans to retain two of its main functions, with the others being delegated to local administrations starting from December 2003.

The board's chairwoman, Yaumil C.A. Achir, said on Saturday that the state agency would continue to provide the services of its Directorate of Communications, Information and Education, and its Directorate of Advocacy, which would allow it to continue to perform its functions as a facilitator in the nationwide family planning program.

Speaking during a discussion on family planning and reproductive health during the current era of decentralization, Youmil expressed concern over the possibility of the family planning program being neglected in the future by local administrations, which might be tempted to shift their focus to more profitable policies.

"Hopefully, the prevailing opinion that local administrations will only fight for budgets is not true ... if it is, then it will worsen family planning and other social services. Consequently, the quality of our human resources will decrease and the efforts to alleviate poverty will become more difficult."