NEDA-7: Huge working population has adverse effects

CEBU, Philippines - Though a large working population contributes to the local industry, it also has adverse effects, an official from the National Economic and Development Authority-7 said.

In his presentation of the 2015 population count yesterday, NEDA-7 assistant director Dionisio Ledres, Jr. enumerated the “bad sides” of a growing population in the region and in the country.

For one, he said, a large population will demand higher services from the government such as infrastructure projects like roads, schools, and hospitals, among others.

“You can actually feel already this need,” said Ledres.

The population in Central Visayas as of August 1, 2015 has reached to 6,041,903, accounting about six percent of the entire population in the country at 100,981,437. The 2015 population of the region is higher by 528,389 compared with the 5.51 million population in 2010.

The worst scenario, Ledres said, is the population that congregates in cities and vacates agricultural lands, which leads to the possible instability of food supply.

“Eventually, population will overtake your food supply, though that has not happened for now. But there is a possibility if you are not able to manage our population,” he said.

Ledres projected that the current population in Central Visayas may double 50 years from now.

“It took 500 to 600 years for us to become 6 million here in Central Visayas, but it will take only about 50 years to double this number. Can you imagine the officials that time may be confronted with for the next 50 years? How much preparation we need to do to be able to accommodate that number of people?” he asked.

On the other hand, Ledres further said, having a big population may also contribute to domestic market, among others, taking as an example the six million people in Central Visayas who may need to buy clothes or shoes to wear.

He added that a growing population composed of a huge workforce or professionally trained young people may also be a great advantage to the local economy.

Ledres then pointed out that a large population may be an advantage if planners invest “in the people,” which the government is currently working on – investing in education for young people.

“They may be able to invent new ways in growing food or provide solutions in addressing pollution. This could happen for the next 50 years. That is why we have a challenge in our arms and this we have to deal with at this time,” he said. (FREEMAN)