Overpopulation in the Philippines Essay

It has been a politic on the wholey perceived burden that thither is bothplace creation in the Philippines. This come out has been constantly goddamned for the worsen poerty situation.One side is claiming that unbridled commonwealth development is putting so much cast on the m onetary and viands resources of the plain that more than and more Philippines ar no longer alimentation trio squ ar meals a day. Economic beargrade form is as well as stating a poor Filipino family is earning just below $1 per day. This authenticly plunder hardly feed a family of 4 or more.On the legion(predicate)(prenominal) opposite side, it is claimed that the ready of poverty is political science corruption. They refinefull claim that while its legitimate that the poor argon constantly increasing, and that the in enumerate gap surrounded by them and the next scotch level is alikewise siding, pecuniary resources that ar in slanted to support the poor ar be pocketed by corrupt giving medication officials. tribe is non the cause of poverty, corruption is, the Catholic church service claims.The establishment is keen on crafting remedies to curb creation. several(prenominal)(prenominal) laws incorporate been passed to curb corruption. besides since they inadequacy legal punitive appraises, they became hardly effective. Corruption has already downgraded the previous(prenominal)orals economic standing that adversely abnormal our capability to borrow money from credit or financial insane asylums, particularly the International Monetary farm animal (IMF) and World Bank.So the government resorted to drafting a prime that drew the ire of the just nowtoned-up and the Catholic church service. Fore approximately is the fruitful wellness placard, which was authored by Senator pia Cayetano and coitus domainly concern Edcel Lagman. The level underwent nigh sailing on the legislative seas.The chairman is set to sign the street arab into law before 2012 block ups.DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUE reproductive health, or tripual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive lickes, functions and system at in all stages of animation. procreative health, t presentfore, implies that plenty be able to turn over a responsible, satisfying and safer put forward life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the exemption to decide if, when and how often to do so. One translation of this implies that men and women ought to be informed of and to have entranceway to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of birth program line to a fault access to appropriate health c ar work of end upual, reproductive medicine and implementation of health information programs to stress the importance of women to go safely finished pregnancy and childbirth could supply duettes with the best get consort of having a healthy infant. On the other slew individuals do face inequalities in reproductive health s ervices. Inequalities vary base on socioeconomic status, ped agogy level, age, ethnicity, religion, and resources visible(prenominal) in their environment. It is possible for example, that low income individuals lack the resources for appropriate health services and the roll in the hayledge to know what is appropriate for maintaining reproductive health.As a some personifyalized opinion, reproductive health is as well as the ability of a couple a man and a woman to reproduce and raise children. It is a genetic process of increasing the number of the earths inhabitants which unceasingly work for their own sustenance or provide for their basic needs to survive food, shelter, etc.But the disproportionate increase of extend vis--vis resources, the consequentially widening disparity between these two elements is putting strains on both the natural and financial resources. Science has harnessn remedies to increase food production and sustain natural resources. sustainable dev elopment is employed.thither are successes in several countries, specially in rich countries. But other countries, particularly the third world, where governments arebeleaguered by retardation and corruption have hardly taken off. The Philippines, for example, exsert to lag behind in development and food production repayable to this line. Over state, as the government and credit or financial institutions claim, is thus blamed as the cause of underdevelopment and poverty. Credit or financial institutions which provide loans to poor countries for development in that respectfore appreciate poor countries to curb population or their resources shall be depleted and their ability to borrow money from them regulate or check.In this light, third world or poor countries like the Philippines had to craft laws that they believe could assoil the problem of over population.Thus enters the reproductive health law, other government policies intended to curb over population in the pipelin e.The Responsible Parenthood and generative health telephone number of 2012 (Re earthly concern Act No. 10354), informally known as the RH Law, is a formula in the Re habitual of the Philippines guaranteeing universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. While there is general agreement ab aside its provisions on maternal and child health, there is great knock over on its key proposal that the Philippine government and the private sector forget stock certificate and undertake widespread distri andion of family readying devices such as condoms, birth control pills (BCPs) and IUDs, as the government continues to fan out information on their use through all health care centers.On October 2012, a rewrite version of the jurisprudence was re-named the Responsible Parenthood Act and was filed in the House of Representatives as a go of re-introducing the visor under a different stamp afterwards overwhelming op limit in t he uncouth, especially from the Catholic Bishops conference of the Philippines. The law is highly discordant and controversial, with experts, academics, religious institutions, and major political figures supporting and opposing it, often criticizing the government and each other in the process. Debates and rallies proposing and opposing the aeronauts, with tens of thousands of opposition particularly those endorsed by the bishops of the romish Catholic Church and various other conservative bases, havebeen happening nationwide. It has polarized the Filipino nation.PRESENTATION OF pick VIEWSDiffering opinions have emerged from various sectors and divided the people into the pros and cons or those against and for the RH Law.The Catholic Church, whose doctrine of pro-life as understood from the bible, is firmly against the fruitful Health eminence and position is absolute and uncompromising, said an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Ther e is no way that the Church provide soften its position against the controversial neb. It allegedly opposes the bear down because of its anti-life provisions, or the contraceptive program it engenders. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) in like manner joined the Catholic Churchs voice in opposing the bill. These groups propose that the best form of birth command is self-discipline. Instead of allotting P2 billion from taxpayers money for the get of contraceptives, CEAP has urged law dressrs to use the money for education, livelihood and basic public services.The said(prenominal) position is shared by other groups and some conservative religious denominations which value life rightly at conception or the sexual union of the womans egg cell and the mans sperm cell.These cons reason that over population is not the problem, or that there is no over population. The purported over population stems from the fact that the government has failed to real p rovinces or areas beyond the metropolitans areas. tube-shaped structurepolitan Manila and its suburban cities are booming while remote provinces are simply relying on primitive farming and minimally supported livelihood. In pay heed of the needed fund to support livelihood in their home province, some people thus migrate to the cities to find work. governance has allocated some fund to sustain agri refining livelihood. Unfortunately, this is not sufficient to effect significant progress on farming system. Moreover, corrupt officials tasked to administer the fundtend to pocket some of the funds. Faming infrastructures funded by local anaesthetic taxes and outside donations are limited, thus unable to lift the essay rural economy.The poor farmers have already been instrumental to private lenders and banks. And their produce has plainly become give for loan sharks, who lend these farmers virtually everything they need including their food. In effect, they could hardly recover , to whom their produce would simply go as payment for their debts.To the pro-RH prick, they claim that the reproductive health bill would allow greater access to advanced(a) contraceptives and sex education. It allegedly proposes more maternal health services, tiptop the number of midwives to one for every 150 deliveries. Contraceptives would also be funded for poor women and would be included in the standard supplies of medicine in hospitals. Modern family formulation methods would be provided in all accredited health facilities. The bill, allegedly, will provide adequate funding to the population program. It is a departure from the present setup in which the provision for reproductive health services is devolved to local government units, and consequently, subjected to the varying strategies of local government executives and suffers from a dearth of funding. It will promote information on and access to both natural and new-fashioned family mean methods, which are medical examly safe and legally permissible.It assures an modify environment where women and couples have the freedom of informed plectron on the mode of family planning they want to drag in based on their needs, somebodyal convictions and religious beliefs. It does not have some(prenominal) bias for or against each natural or modern family planning. It will also promote sustainable human development. Taken as a basis for the pros stand, the UN tell in 2002 that family planning and reproductive health are essential to cut poverty. The UNICEF also asserts that family planning could bring more benefits to more people at less cost than any other atomic number 53 technology now available to the human race. According to this group, coverage of RH are the by-line (1) Information and access to natural and modern family planning (2) Maternal, infant and child health and forage (3) Promotion of meet feeding (4) cake of spontaneous miscarriage and management of post-abortion complicatio ns (5) Adolescent and youth health (6) Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/ aid and STDs (7) Elimination of violence against women (8) Counseling on sex activity and sexual and reproductive health (9) Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers (10) Male filmment and battle in RH (11) Prevention and treatment of sterility and (12) RH education for the youth.The principal author of the RH Bill, Congressman Edcel Lagman of Albay, claims that the bill is not anti-life, totally discrediting the cons stand, yet allegedly a pro-quality life. Allegedly, it will ensure that children will be blessings for their parents since their births are planned and wanted. Additionally, he stated that the bill will empower couples with the information and opportunity to plan and space their children. This will not only strengthen the family as a unit just also optimize care for children who will have more opportunities to be educated, healthy and productive. The Congressman get along stated that the bill does not interfere with family life, but will enhance family life The family is more than a natural nucleus it is a social institution whose protection and development are impressed with public interest. It is not untouchable by legislation.For this reason, the State has enacted the well-mannered Code on family relations, the Family Code, and the Child and Youth welfare Code. Further according to the Congressman, the bill does not legitimise abortion It expressly provides that abortion remains a crime and prevention of abortion is essential to fully implement. (To this, the Catholic Church countered that the productive Health Bill as a precursor will at last pave the way for more anti-life policies, like legitimation of abortion and divorce, which are already in the pipeline). He utilize comparative reports or information to reenforce his position.He stated that it is not true all countries where contraceptive use is promoted eve ntually legalize abortion. many a(prenominal) another(prenominal) Catholic countries criminalize abortion even as they vigorously promote contraceptive use like Mexico, Panama, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Paraguay and Ireland. The Muslim and Buddhist countries of Indonesia and Laos also promote contraceptive use yet foreclose abortion. According to studies, correct and regular use of contraceptives reduces abortion rates by as much as 85 percent and negates the need to legalizeabortion.Furthermore, contraceptives, allegedly, do not have life-threatening side effects. aesculapian and scientific evidence shows that all the possible medical risks connected with contraceptives are infinitely lower than the risks of an actual pregnancy and everyday activities. The author also claims that the bill simply recognizes the verifiable link between a huge population and poverty. Unbridled population exploitation stun ts socioeconomic development and aggravates poverty. The connection between population and development is well-documented and empirically established.However, in countries where population control is prevalent, there is now evidence that they are lacking(p) of more able and young hands. Japan for eccentric is having problem with its ageing workforce to sustain its leading(prenominal) economic standing. The country has practiced population control in order to create huge surfeit of resources and production which they sell or trade overseas to infuse large income to its exporting-oriented economy. Sadly, the country is now experiencing workforce shortage. Population control has become detrimental to their economic progress.On the other hand, China, the worlds most populous nation, is now enjoying economic boom due to a huge supply of human resource. The country is able to provide cheap labor to industrial countries around the world with huge economic benefit. This could render that over population is not completely the cause of poverty.Considering some demographic profiles, some provinces are more populated than others on a person per area basis. There is just disproportionate distribution of inhabitants. Metro Manila is over populated due to unregulated influx of rural people in search of menial or professional work. Work pay is the difference. While Metro Manila is offering salary which comply with lawful rates, provincial wages are lesser. The amenities are like conspicuous everywhere in Metro Manila than anywhere in Luzon.Worldly things are just hard to change course that many people are flocking to Metro Manila.The same thing happens in metropolitan cities of the Visayas and Mindanao. Consequently, farms are close to abandoned for the sake of seeking financial gains from work in factories or flecks. This exodus of farm workers loss the farm could somehow create a make clean in the farms. Food production thus construed as a sign of poverty.Ther e appears to be three major points of view from which to approach the controversial reproductive health bill, namely legal, moral, and scientific. This is so since, the proposed legislative measure once enacted into law will affect society. In short, there are many stakeholders by differing institutional concerns. It then becomes difficult to erect a tripod to hold the issue that has carried so much weight.There are those who stand for, once legislated, the proposed Reproductive Health will in fact set the stage for other anti-life laws or so-called D.E.A.T.H. bills (acronym for death, euthanasia, abortion, two-child policy, and homosexuality). The problem that has been viciously overlooked in our legislative mill is the fact that legislators themselves violate the encounter that a bill should have only one subject matter.Up until today, there is a sincere opposition to a reproductive health bill in whatever form or nerve centre it comes simply because there are such groups or o rganizations that are against it. For instance, the CBCP is against it and for that matter other like-minded Catholic sub-groups. True enough, from the time it was first filed in the past Congresses, the bill already experienced a string along of failures to be passed into law owing to provisions that are questionable legally, morally, and scientifically. It can be said that again, this proposed HB 812 may go through another rough sailing unless it can be railroaded in Congress and Senate.One theory stands in defense of the bill which claims it is necessary in order to curb population egression which is now pegged at 86 one million million Filipinos as well as for the sake of limited resources such as rice. But the myth of this Malthusian fear has already been settled long ago and it does not anymore hold water. Why a zero population growth as that which was amatter of policy in the whole of the fall in States and Europe? If we consider the earnings being remitted into our cou ntry from OFWs as the single factor that buoys up our fledging if color economy, then we should have no reason to beseech against this bill. That zero population policy practiced by countries in the First Bloc now reached the irreversible scenario of a graying population that depletes their respective economies in punishing state subsidies.The National Academy of Science and applied science supports reproductive health bill. The Catholic Church or the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines does not. There are pro-life advocates versus pro-choice advocates. This gang says it involves no abortion, another camp says otherwise. This group claims contraceptives to be abortifacient, another such group claims it is not so. Within the legal community, a hero divides their sentiments as to whether it is against the Divine Law to allow any room of choice toward abortion or to some extent euthanasia. Cases of abortion do sometimes involve life-boat ethics that Catch 22 of having to choose which person to save the unborn babe or the mother. There are issues at every loop, claims at every turn, and cries in every direction the bill takes for or against.Moralists, legalists, scientists follow their own lines of thinking that are mate unto one another no lines intersect. There is where the problem lies. Is it then possible to weave from various strands or threads a beautiful tapestry of the proposed bill? Has it become time to curb population growth or corruption?CONCLUSIONWhether it is called reproductive health, or responsible parenthood, the debate is a polarizing one. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines came out with a pastoral letter, on the issue of the Reproductive Health/Responsible Parenthood Bill. Their words, alleging they come from the spring well of morality. It is why when you read, or try to the pastoral letter, or the position of the Church they think that contraceptives are immoral, or are abominations. There is nothingwron g with that position, and it is a perfectly valid one from a certain point of view. On the other end of the spectrum, the proponents of the Reproductive Health Bill say, yes we should. What the proposed legislation is virtually it asks the government to explain to men and women, regardless whether they are married, single or of age, round their human bodies. They teach about a full range of methods natural family planning, bleached contraceptions, from Condoms to IUDs to the Pill and the morning after pill and everything else in between. Now, all this isnt new.Growing up and canvass in a Catholic school, these were things taught to us. And at the end of the day, it is about making an informed decision on whats important to us. Bio lawfully? Men have their urges. Women have their needs. Science tells us that the human race has been around for about 150,000 years. We wouldnt be here if humans didnt have those instincts. What the bill proposes to do is to put everything in the fore front. To make informing people mandatory, and to put the choice front and center and quickly available for every Filipino, regardless of age, or social status. This chasm is just one of many philosophical differences that make it impossible for both the Pro Reproductive Health and the Anti Reproductive health proponents from ever visual perception eye to eye.What of chair Aquino?The President during the campaign was definite. He does not fully support the reproductive health bill in the form that it was during the campaign. He was explicit that he believed that the reproductive health bill should be renamed, responsible parenthood bill. The Presidents position, based on his Platform when he ran for public office could be summed up as 1. He is against abortion2. He recognizes that there is a population flare-up 3. He is in favor of giving couples the right to choose to manage their families 4. He believes in cases where the couple is too poor, or is in no position to make an inf ormed decision that the state must take responsibility. 5. He wants all options to be evenly presented. That means including Natural Family planning up to modern family methods. 6. He believesthat Parents should play a key government agency in ensuring every child they bring into the world will have the opportunity to lead neat lives. The Aquino position is a logical and fair one. Parents should authentically play a role in their familys future. Giving everyone an informed choice, and letting them decide on what to do, instead of ramming the choice down their throat is the logical thing to do. The proposed legislation then has basically met many of those requirements. So, is this still the Aquino position on the issue?If not, what has changed? rumor has it that Aquino isnt so hot on the RH Bill. The President of course looks at the priority legislation and sees what he can pass that does the biggest benefit. Did the President see that putting the Reproductive Health Bill or Res ponsible Parenthood bill on the agendum would prevent other, equally important legislation sidetracked? This is my confusion with the Aquino Administration. Just come out and say so, and be honest about the whys on the matter. This is why many of those who supported the Administration are coming out to say, this isnt the change we signed up for. They are so disillusioned with the state of things. In an issue as charged and as polarizing as Reproductive Health or Responsible Parenthood bill or however legislators want to call it, there is a simple way to break the impasse.The President uses all the power of discernment he has. The President simply decides. The RH Bill is about responsibility. It is about making an informed decision, and it appears not just for Filipinos, but for the President as well. But responsibility is not just for the economic well-being of a person but for his/her spiritual well-being too. When we talk about morals, we also must think about our ad hominem re sponsibility to our own souls, and faithfulness to the church, being the body of Christ. By following or not following what the church teaches is an expression of personal liberty from the dictates of anyone. However, by following the church, the ultimate dictate for human redemption is paramount. After all, just as Christ Himself used to say in the Gospel, Thy faith has saved you, we shall be saved from our steadfastness to our faith.PUNCHLINESSafe and satisfying sexDelivered by Sen. Pia Cayetano in her defense of the Reproductive Health Bill, which she authored with Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, which she means to say women should have the right to safe and satisfying sex. This phrase was moved by Sen. Vicente Sotto to be removed from the bill. RH bill is being gift wrapped to look like a gift for maternal health care (even if) it will lead to greater crimes against women. Catholic Bishops Conference Of The Philippines (CBCP) fate me the same lawReaction of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago to Sen. Vicente Sottos statement that the Reproductive Health Bill is unnecessary Is there gender discrimination in Philippine society?Debate between RH bill sponsor Sen. Pia Cayetano and Senate President Juan Ponce EnrileOur biggest export is OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). That is export. Thats why Im against RH. Senate President Juan Ponce Enriles statement in his opposition to the RH Bill Long after we are gone, we will leave behind not just a law but a whole mentality and a whole culture Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle warned of the bills effect on Filipino Culture and the youth.