Overpopulation is a growing issue in the Philippines. Several demographic experts predict that the number of Filipinos living in the Philippines will reach beyond 102 million in 2015. This issue of overpopulation is believed to be one of the main reasons for the country's sustained poverty and lack of economic growth.
According to data released in 2012 by the Philippine Statistics Authority, fisherman and farmers remained the poorest among the nine basic sectors in the Philippines with poverty incidence of 39.2% and 38.3% respectively. Also, the subsistence incidence of Filipinos, or the proportion of Filipinos whose income is below the food threshold, was estimated at 10.7% in the first semester of 2013.
Literacy must also be taken into account when looking into demographics. According to the results of the 2008 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey, 58 million of the estimated 67 million Filipinos aged 10-64 years old are functionally literate. The functional literacy rate is higher among persons with a higher level in education. Of those who had reached but did not finish high school 89.8% were functionally literate, and of those who had finished elementary school, 80.8% were functionally literate.
The need for family planning has been unmet and increased in the last 5 years. According to the results of the 2008 National Demographic and Health Survey, the need for family planning decreases with education, wealth, and age. For example, 29% of women with no education, 28% of those in poor households, and 36% for those between the ages of 15-19 have an unmet need for family planning. On the other hand only 20% of women with higher education, 20% of those in wealthy households, and 18% between the ages of 45-49 have an unmet need for family planning.
The problems that come with an increasing population will also increase, but I believe that the different methods of Family Planning would be an effective way to helping the increasing Philippine population, if not for two issues. First, much of the population, especially those living, in poverty, are not adequately educated in family planning, and therefore, will probably continue to have more children. Second, because much of the Philippine population is very religious, several methods of family planning conflicts with their religious convictions.
But if we put aside our differences and help to educate others, we can tackle the issues that are plaguing our country
It is true that overpopulation is one of the main reasons of the poverty of our country but overpopulation wouldn't happen if our government were better leaders and were to advocate family planning so that families can think about the factors and responsibilities it takes to have a family.
ReplyDeleteAs the population of the Philippines arise, so does the number of problems that come with it. We need to take action while the problem is still solvable.
ReplyDelete-Paul Beltran
Sometimes I wonder if the people of the Philippines remember that the State and the Church are two entirely different things. The convictions of the Church should not affect the decisions of the government regarding the problems of our country, especially if the concern faced can be fixed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Paul that we should do something now that it can still be solved rather than doing it later and not being able to do anything at all.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, many Filipino scholars have concluded that population is not the cause of our poverty. The causes of our poverty are: flawed philosophies of development, misguided economic policies, greed, corruption, social inequities, lack of access to education, poor economic and social services, poor infrastructures, etc. World organizations estimate that in our country more than 400 billion pesos are lost yearly to corruption.
ReplyDeleteFrances Bosque BSOT 1-B
Since our population is growing, problems are also increasing. If people are just responsible enough to do something about it then we wouldn't be facing problems that affects the country especially in the future.
ReplyDeleteWe should be responsible enough with our actions because it shows what the country is portraying to the citizens and this is what we will show to the world? Let us convince our leaders to establish a system of family planning, birth control, and education both within our own borders stabilizing our population numbers to make sure that they never get out of hand. This is for the Philippine economy.
ReplyDeleteBefore the worst will come we should act upon this problem now.If we let this sit and keep going this will defintely make the Philippines have a lot more debts from other countries a lot more biger .Controlling the situation while its still controllable should be one of our first priorities
ReplyDelete-Marc Lim
I agree with Karen's statement, The church and state should be separated, Look what is happening right now the country has now being graced with the problem of lack of family planning. Since several methods of family planning conflicts with their religious convictions we must really separated them and do what is best for our country. If we put aside our differences and help to educate others, we can tackle these issues that are plaguing our country.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah that we have to put aside our differences and educate others. This is something that will help boost our economy no doubt. Moving on with overpopulation, as I've said many times before, we have to act. Not complain. We just waste our time complaining on how corrupt and poor our country is when we can actually do something about it. It's just so sad how this is not happening though.
ReplyDelete-Therese Alcoseba BS OT 1-B :D