PB urges public to practice responsible parenthood

Responsible parenthood should be practiced to help break the vicious cycle of poverty in the country according to a resolution sponsored by a Provincial Board member.

PB member Juan Bolo said it is but imperative for spouses to practice the said principle, as advised by the Population Commission, by not having more children than they can afford to support.

"By becoming responsible parents, couples share in ensuring that our future children will have ample opportunity to be developed and be properly educated," Bolo said.

Since it cannot be denied that the country's fast rising population has posed us a lot of problems over the years, Bolo reiterated the call of Popcom chief Tomas Osias on responsible parenthood.

A recent report by the Popcom said the Philippines posted a 2.3 percent population growth rate, which implies two million additional babies every year on top of the present population of 85 million.

In his renewed call for the practice of responsible parenthood, Osias said that to break the vicious cycle of poverty, couples must practice such by having children only when they are already financially, physically, emotionally, and psychologically ready to take the responsibility.

Osias in his press statement said having children before a couple is ready can only lead to greater poverty not only for the couple but for the children as well.

As such, Osias advised married or unmarried couples to avail of natural or artificial family planning methods they are most comfortable with.

As for single men and women, Osias said they should rethink twice or even 10 times if they are ready to become parents before engaging in sex.

"Instead of breaking out of the vicious cycle of poverty, there is a 99 percent probability that a poor couple, no matter how in love they are, will sink deeper into debt and poverty when they have children at a time when they do not have a regular and adequate source of income," Osias said in his press statement. - Cristina C. Birondo