HAVING a consistent population count for years, the Philippines should now expect a new census update.
Recent reports say that the Philippines is bound to have at least 100 million people this year, and depending on one’s perspective, it may sound either good or bad.
Based on the national census of population in 2010, the country has a population then of 92 million people. Last year, the population rose at around 97 million.
With this, everybody might conclude that in only a year, more than 2 million Filipino infants were born.
On July 27, Sunday, the government will be choosing a hundred babies born at around 12:06am. These babies will be part of the 100 symbolic babies to mark the 100 millionth Filipino populace.
These newly-born Filipinos will receive a non-cash assistance of worth PHP 5,000; but should be born in a government accredited hospital facility, via normal delivery, and parents must be an official resident in their respective provinces or cities.
But do these numbers give Filipinos a positive insight?
The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines expressed their joy as they consider it a blessing.
Some economists are also happy, citing the growth it might bring to the country over the next years through young working people.
While some people welcome the news, others feared instability of social services, welfare and health.
Some say that the population growth should also be matched by creating more services and investment to the people.
The people have not yet seen nor felt an increase of services, with more existing functions privatized through public-private partnerships. This left the poor majority population in deep self-inquiry, having no special program to support them in many aspects.
It is now up to the Philippine government to show the people if it is really worth celebrating for, on whatever way they want to promote it.
Let us just hope that the rest won’t be waiting for so long before the next million Filipinos are born. (AJPress)
