Define population management, Congress asked

To the average Filipino, "population management" may conjure up images of birth control measures and even abortion.

That’s why Congress should pass a law defining population management for better public understanding, the head of the Population Commission (PopCom) urged yesterday.

"Public understanding on population management is still vague," according to Tomas Osias, PopCom executive director.

"People still have a misconception about population management, even those who have previously worked with government on family planning initiatives."

The popular conception is of abortion and contraceptives, he said, which makes the issue needlessly "complex."

Osias said population management merely means providing the public with access to information and services that can help them achieve their desired number of children.

"This means empowering couples to make informed choices and informed decisions on the number, timing and spacing of their children," he said.

Osias said House Bill 3773, or the Responsible Parenthood and Population Management Act, does not in any way promote abortion, which is banned by the Constitution.

"It is sad that some people misinterpret these efforts as promoting abortion," he said.

"We respect everyone’s religious beliefs and we have to clarify that we are not for abortion, but for making available legally-approved methods of family planning."

Osias said the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey showed that two million women wanted to limit their pregnancies, but did not know how to do so.

Such ignorance could be "addressed" if there were a clear policy on family planning, he added. — Sheila Crisostomo