RP population seen to hit 86.7 M in 2006

The country’s population is expected to hit 86.7 million this year, double the number of Filipinos 29 years ago, an official of the Commission on Population (PopCom) said.

"For 2005, our population was 85 million. But with a population growth rate of 2.36 percent — or 1.7 million new babies born every year — the number of Filipinos will be close to 87 million in 2006," PopCom executive director Tomas Osias told The STAR.

The Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world, with a growth rate that is one of the highest in Southeast Asia.

Osias said that while most Filipino mothers desire only two children, they actually give birth to three to four because they lack information on and access to family planning services.

Many couples also do not adhere to the ideal birth spacing of three to five years. This adversely affects the health of mothers and their babies, as well as the entire family’s quality of life.

Osias said the population needs to be managed effectively or its continued increase would negate any economic gains the country has made.

"That would mean we have to double the delivery of basic services like education, health and nutrition. We have to accelerate economic growth and, at the same time, moderate our population growth," he said.

The years 2006 to 2009 are deemed crucial to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of reducing the population growth rate from 2.36 to 1.9 percent.

Osias said that in 2006, the growth rate must be "rationalized" through the equal promotion of all family planning methods and by making actual services available and accessible in the community.

He pointed out that in 2005, more emphasis had been given to natural family planning, putting artificial methods on the sideline.

"I think what should have happened is that we laid down the advantages and disadvantages of all types of methods and we let the couples choose," Osias said.

The 2004 Family Planning Survey showed that only 49.3 percent of couples use contraceptives while the 2003 National Demographic Health Survey pegged it at 48.9 percent.

Osias said around two million women wanted to use, but had no access to, contraceptives.

President Arroyo, as a matter of policy, leaves it up to the local government units to purchase contraceptives. Her stand is deemed to have been influenced by the Roman Catholic Church, which claims that using artificial methods is a sin.

To manage the population, Osias said there has to be a "middle ground" for those who have opposing opinions on which family planning method is best.

"There are many areas that we can explore. For one, I think we all agree that we should promote responsible parenthood," he said.

Osias called on the government, the Church and other stakeholders to help in strengthening efforts to educate the public on adolescent sexuality and reproductive health.

He also proposed a migration program that would study the economic potential and population status of all areas.

"Through this, the public will know if it is advisable, for instance, to migrate to Metro Manila or if it is best for them to stay in the province. This will give them an idea of what awaits them in a certain place," Osias added.