'Discussions on population should not be on numbers but on life quality'

MANILA, Philippines - With the world population expected to reach seven billion by the end of October – with more than 100 million of them Filipinos – an official of the United Nations said yesterday the focus of discussions should not be about numbers but on the quality of life of these people.

Ugochi Daniels, country representative of the UN Population Fund, said the UN does not have an official stand on the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill, but noted that protective reproductive health and rights are fundamental to the economic development of the Philippines.

“In the world, one out of 70 people will be a Filipino,” Daniels told a press conference.

“It’s not about just protecting them when they are unborn. It’s equally important to protect them when they are (already) born,” she said.

Daniels said the growing population is a “challenge, an opportunity and a call to action, most especially in the Philippines” when one of four citizens is poor.

She also noted that while the Philippines boasts of hospitals with the most modern facilities, 11 mothers still die daily from preventable causes.

“A country where information flows freely in every possible channel but young people are still unaware of how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, with 10 percent of girls aged 15 to 19 giving birth to their first child,” she said.

Daniels said about two million babies are added to the country’s population each year, with poor women bearing the brunt as they average six children or two more than they desire because of lack of access to family planning information and services.

“Together we can meet the needs of Filipino women who want to plan and space their births but do not have access to modern contraception. Together we can prevent the deaths of 11 mothers every day from complications of pregnancy and childbirth,” she said

“Reducing inequalities and improving living standards for people alive today – as well as for generations to follow - will require new ways of thinking and unparalleled global cooperation,” she added.

She said every young person deserves education, including sexuality education and access to comprehensive health services, adding that with the right policies, investments and social support, they can enjoy healthier and improved lives.

Ben de Leon, president of the Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., said one solution to address the problems related to population is the immediate passage of the RH bill.

He said the proposed law will directly address the highly unmet need for family planning, high infant and maternal deaths, growing HIV/AIDS cases, high incidence of teen pregnancies and poor access to maternal and child health services.

Secretary Joel Rocamora, chair of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, said anti-poverty work in the country is “so difficult” because there are too many poor. “It’s easier to count on each other if you don’t have to count so many,” he said.

Tougher challenge

Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar said his stint as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has been more difficult compared to his predecessors’ because of the RH and divorce bills.

“We have been in difficult times which were made more difficult because of the situation and issues being raised,” Odchimar said.

He reiterated the CBCP’s strong opposition to the RH bill, saying it would promote the use of abortifacient drugs while the divorce bill would weaken the Filipino family.

But he could not give a categorical answer when asked if it was more difficult for the CBCP to deal with President Aquino compared to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. – With Evelyn Macairan