86 million people now share the scarce resources of this nation.
In 15 years that number is expected to reach over 100 million.
In 29 years that number is expected to double to over 160 million.
"If the current annual population growth rate continues at 2.36 percent, the population, on the average, will increase by around 1.8 million persons a year, or roughly 4,947 persons per day, 206 persons per hour, or three persons per minute."
--National Statistics Office Press Release
3 persons per minute...
Woah.
Overpopulation is a clear and present danger to our country.
Imagine sharing scarce resources with 160 million other Filipinos, with an economy pushed to the breaking point by the sheer number of people demanding goods from a limited supply.
Imagine cities where the only open space you can see is the sky, where traffic moves at a snail's pace, where housing is scarce.
Imagine a nation where every available space is packed with people, straining the environment's capacity to sustain human life.
Well, that is the kind of country that the Catholic Church wants.
It's campaign against the initiatives of the Department of Health to educate the masses on reproductive health is concrete evidence of this.
Just this Sunday while I was at mass I was appalled at the priest's statement that it was alright to have one dozen children, since, in his own words, "kahit yung may iisang anak lang nga e di rin mapadala sa paaralan".
After that enlightening statement he enjoined us all to join a rally against the DOH's "Ligtas Buntis" campaign.
Good grief.
160 million people, thanks to the influence of the Catholic Church.
Why would they be against a campaign to educate people about reproductive health?
So that there would be more people who would donate to the Church?
Hahahaha.
A recent article in the Inquirer tells of people who don't even know where babies come from, due to a lack of education.
The poor are especially susceptible to this, as most of them drop out of school early or are denied an education due to their poverty.
A campaign to educate them about human reproduction and the benefits of family planning would do well to curtail the rising population.
But the Church has to step in and say that we have no right to choose when and how many children we should have.
How blind can you get?
Poverty is also caused by a large population.
It's simply the survival of the fittest.
Lack of job opportunities due to competition would keep a large number of people unemployed and unable to generate income for their families.
Imagine if they have families of one dozen.
The strain on basic neccessities such as food and water due to increased demand would result in some people being unable to access these needs.
Imagine if you have to feed a family of one dozen, with no income.
The lack of land in which to build a home due to increased population density would result in some people being forced to live in the streets.
Imagine if you have to live under a bridge, and find food for a family of one dozen with no income.
These factors would create another problem: crime.
No income, with a family of one dozen, would force some people to turn to criminal activity.
Imagine if the Church succeeds in its campaign against education.
Millions of people,
without jobs,
without food,
without homes,
without access to basic services.
A strained environment,
congested cities,
rampant criminality.
We cannot allow the denial of education.
If there is one thing that I learned from my professors in the University of the Philippines it would be that education is the best long-term solution to our country's problems.
An educated populace would be better equipped to make the right decisions.
They would be able to protect themselves from an abusive government.
They would be able to create a better life for their families.
Imagine a prosperous Philippines, where politicians are accountable to the public, and work for the national interest and not for their own.
Where there really is a separation of church and state.
Where we no longer have to depend on American goodwill and protection.
Where there is minimal poverty and criminality, a strong economy, clean cities, and a beautiful environment.
Only with proper education can we reach this level of prosperity, and only if we start now.
1 comment:
Everyone agrees that overpopulation is a big problem, and how it adds to our already desolate state. Just one question, did you even seriously try to get the other half of the story? Dude, you were throwing some harsh words to the Church. I sure do hope those words are reinforced with sufficient knowledge and research on the matter, ON ALL SIDES that is. Yes the Church campaigns against those birth control methods, but do you actually know why they do this? I'm not talking about hearsay or any second hand information, I'm talking about personally asking any person from the Church like a priest perhaps, catechists and the like about the matter. Or have you read the numerous official church documents again regarding this matter as released by the Vatican? Or is your only "source" that priest of yours? A priest is not the whole Church. By all means I disagree in what that priest said, although in what context he did say it I am unaware of. My friend, please make it an effort to enlighten yourself before you make such statements, especially in the internet where numerous people could read it. I'm sorry but I see your post as completely one-sided. I suggest further research on your part. God bless you.
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