Experts warn RP vs delaying actions on population, health, environment

Matthew Heyes / 3 March 12.30pm / Population

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/83109/Experts-warn-RP-vs-delaying-actions-on-population-health-environment

This article examines the issues of population growth, the environment and their implications on the health of Filipinos, especially the poor. Experts are suggesting policy measures that can reduce these risks, enhance the well-being of the people, and put the Philippines on a more sustainable development path. Experts claim that this is an urgent situation and worry whether officials with look it as high priority. The population growth in the Philippines means that Congress needs to pass measures, and ensure the implementation of existing laws, on the protection of ecosystem services such as providing food, fuel, building materials; clean water; maintenance of biodiversity; productive fisheries; and protection of coastal and low lying areas from the devastating impacts of storms and tsunamis. The risks of not doing this relates to the increasing pressure that population growth and migration to cities put on the environment. People who lacking safe water and sanitation and those exposed to pollution are subject to high burden of illness and death from diarrhea and respiratory infections, especially among poor children. These disease conditions are related to almost 20% of the total deaths in the Philippines.

Family planning in the Philippines is compared to that of Thailand. Both countries had a population of 20 million people in 1960. Today Thailand has a population of 66 million compared to 89 million in the Philippines. Unless this problem is addressed then the disparity between Thailand and the Philippines will grow rapidly. This would mean that by 2050, Thailand will be a stable middle class country with a population of 69 million while the Philippines will have between 103 and 154 million people and an increasing poverty incidence which can increase social conflict and instability.

In Thailand there is access to contraception, uneducated women use family planning methods as much as women with a college education. Whereas in the Philippines there is no clear national government support on a family planning program. Contraceptive use is less especially among poor and uneducated women, leading to more unintended pregnancies and larger families.