Bizmen support family planning

Some local businessmen support the aggressive implementation of the population management program to address the country's rapid population increase and economic crisis.

In a forum entitled "The Population Problem: Why businessmen should be concerned," at least 18 businessmen said that it's time for the business sector to participate in family planning programs and services to attain economic progress.

The forum highlighted the reasons why businessmen should be concerned about the population problem and the positive effects of promoting family planning.

Dr. Ernesto Pernia, professor of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, presented the findings of the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey and the UP School of Economics paper entitled "Population and Poverty: The Real Score."

He cited that with a growth rate of 2.36 percent per year, the country's population of 80 million would double in 30 years. This means that 1.7 million is added every year to the country's population and that there are 1.5 million new entrants to the labor force annually.

Pernia stressed that the labor force should be healthy in order to be economically productive, which could lead to greater productivity and enhanced employee-employer relationship.

Article 134 of the Labor Code provides that establishments employing 200 or more workers must maintain a clinic or infirmary for their employees.

The business sector is expected to help the community because of the so-called corporate social responsibility.