UN DP- DAP B ohol E cotow n He alth S e ctor Page |3 person over the last ten years. This has reduced the average farm size (0.6 ha/family) below the prescribed economic size of 1-3 hectares per family.6 Bohol’s population is increasing at a slower pace in 2007 compared to the annual population growth rate (APGR) of 2.95% between 1995-2000. Its APGR of 1.06 percent (2000-2007) is among the lowest in the region (regional average is 1.59%), lower than the country’s comparable growth rate of 2.04%. In 2007, the Rate of Natural Increase (RNI) was calculated at 13 persons per 1,000 population compared to 16 persons per 1,000 population in 2000. Meaning, its population was growing at 13% through natural increase in 2007. Given its current growth rate, the population of Bohol is expected to grow to 1,349,704 by the end 2015. This translates into an additional 119,594 persons starting from year 2008 or an average of 13,288 persons every year assuming current APGR remains. About 24% or 275,128 of Bohol’s population reside in the urban areas or in 12.35% (137) barangays.7 Total population in the coastal area of Bohol comprises 42 percent of its provincial population in 2007 compared to 28 percent in 1990. Of the total coastal population, 12 percent of the province’s populace were residing in the island barangays of Bohol. Health Indices Nationally, Bohol public health budgets are: For Bohol Province, despite the increase in poverty incidence, the province has achieved improvement in its HDI. From 2000 to 2006, Bohol’s HDI increased from 0.531 in 2000 to 0.569 in 2006 indicating an improvement in the overall well-being of Boholanos. However, the assistance to marginalized and vulnerable groups remains a serious challenge in Bohol given that 38.8 percent of families in the province continue to live in poverty.8 Life expectancy has increased at birth estimated from 68 years in 1997 to the current 72 years with females having longer lives than males at 74 years and 70 years, respectively. Water-borne diseases still persist in Bohol even as access to water supply source (from 43% in 2000 to 75% households in 2008) and sanitary toilets (from 70% in 2000 to 85% households in 2008) has improved. Access to health/medical services and facilities have also improved with additional health and birthing centers available in the rural areas. Bohol facility based delivery (FBD) increased from 17% deliveries to 46%, deliveries done by medical personnel likewise increased from 74% to 88% in that same period.9 According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) report, only 5-10% of the total budget of majority of LGUs in Bohol is allocated to health. FP commodities are sold in Popshops located in 9 LGUs to meet community FP needs in Tagbilaran City, Ubay, Talibon, Carmen, Bien Unido, Dauis, Inabanga, Candijay and Catigbian and a 6 Office of the Provincial Agriculturist October 2006 Urban classification per NSO 8 NSCB 7 9 Provincial Health Office, 2008.