Section 43September 7, 2007, Sec./Art. 43

The Provincial Population Officer. - (a) No person shall be appointed provincial population officer unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the province, of good moral character, a holder of a college degree with specialized training in population development from a recognized college or university and a first grade civil service eligible or its equivalent. He must have experience in the implementation of programs on population development or responsible parenthood for at least five years.

The appointment of a provincial population officer shall be optional.

(b) The provincial population officer shall take charge of the office on population development and shall:

(1) Formulate measures for the consideration of the sanggunian and provide technical assistance and support to the provincial governor in carrying out measures to ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities relative to the integration of the population development principles and in providing access to said services and facilities;

(2) Develop plans and strategies and, upon approval thereof by the provincial governor, implement the same, particularly those which have to do with the integration of population development principles and methods in programs and projects which the provincial governor is empowered to implement and which the sanggunian is empowered to provide for under the Local Government Code of 1991;

(3) In addition to the foregoing duties and functions, the provincial population officer shall:

(i) Assist the provincial governor in the implementation of the constitutional provisions relative to population development and the promotion of responsible parenthood;

(ii) Establish and maintain an updated data bank for program operations, development planning and an educational program to ensure the people's participation in and understanding of population development; and

(iii) Implement appropriate training programs responsive to the cultural heritage of the inhabitants; and

(4) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.