BKKBN to retain functions

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."