| Abstract: | Magdamayan is an old word meaning to help one another; it has been chosen as an acronym for a program currently being undertaken by the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) that addresses itself to family life and community development -- a departure from previous FPOP projects. It aims to reach out to rural villages through 44 chapters covering selected communities in the 3 major island groups. Its main objectives are to reach the majority of the eligible population in each village, increasing the awareness, knowledge and understanding of family planning; to enlist 80% of eligible couples; and to maintain a 90% continuation rate. The 1st cycle of the project activities was begun in July 1975, divided into 3 phases spread over 18 months. Phase 1 involved preparations for the project in the villages, including a baseline survey. Phase 2 was the actual program phase, including a mass information drive, contraceptive promotion, identification of target groups, training of motivators, and provision of backup services. Phase 3 involved the phasing out of FPOP staff and turning the project over to community volunteers, and evaluation. Among the activities employed to facilitate integration of family planning into community life were 57 vocational skills training courses, various income generating activities (dances, sporting events, raffles) and community development projects. Preliminary evaluation of the 1st cycle indicates impressive success, but below the 80% acceptance and 90% continuation rates. Community development activities were seen as much enhanced, and basic health services and vocational skills training were successfully introduced. Constraints identified as limiting the success are discussed, and it is concluded that the program's performance this far is good enough to warrant its use as an alternate or model for similar family planning projects. |
