Population growth in the Phillipines ignites concerns about food shortages

The population of The Philippines has ballooned to nearly 89 million as of 2007, 15.8 per cent higher than the 76.50 million in May 2000. President Gloria Arroyo issued the official census number — 88.57 million — last week.

President Arroyo has resisted use of contraceptives and other forms of family planning other than natural methods — a move applauded by the Roman Catholic Church but criticized by those who blame overpopulation for rampant poverty in The Philippines and recently for the food shortage.

The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic nation, has one of the highest population growth rates in the region, with at least three babies born every minute. The growth dilutes economic gains and the country does not produce enough food to feed its people. “The population is increasing and it means that government has to more vigorously implement its population policy, which is responsible parenthood and the advocacy for natural family planning,” Economic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos told Reuters last week.

“I think the population commission will have to review its policies,” he added. “We really need greater efforts. It means we have to work harder to make the economy function more properly and more smoothly.” At least one-third of the people are poor and the number of poor is growing faster than the population.

Last month, government data showed that 28 million people, about a third of the population, were subsisting on less than $1 per day in 2006. But Santos said artificial birth control remained a sensitive issue. In a nod to the powerful Catholic church, the government emphasises natural family planning over artificial methods, and experts said there was not likely to be any change in this in the immediate future.

President Arroyo, who came to power in 2001 with the backing of the church, has consistently emphasised natural family planning. Government booklets on responsible parenting make no mention of condoms, pills or intra-uterine devices.

“She has made it very clear she will not purchase contraceptives, she will not promote any other method except what the church approves and she has very strong links with the most conservative elements of the church,” said Dr. Alberto Romualdez, a former health secretary.
The National Statistics Office said The Philippines’ annual population growth rate was 2.04 per cent between 2000 and 2007. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the average population growth rate in Asia is 1.1 per cent.

Solita Monsod, professor of economics at the University of the Philippines, said the problem did not lie with the church. She said most Filipinos wanted to regulate their families and providing access to information and funding for civil service groups involved in family planning was key.

“Survey after survey has shown that when it comes to family planning, the church does not make a difference,” Monsod said. “The people don’t have access. Give them what they want and then the population problem will take care of itself.”