THE world’s population didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, the numbers have since been growing by giant, exponential leaps. The world population has already breached the 7 billionth mark.
In the UN World Population Fund’s (UNFPA) list of the world’s most populous countries, the Philippines ranks 12th. The nation’s population has grown over two percent each year since 2000. A mere 50 years ago, the country’s population stood at 27.1 million. Today, Filipinos are at 96 million—a 250 percent jump over the past five decades.
With at least three babies born every minute, the country’s population remains a daunting challenge. Stabilizing these numbers, so that they don’t outstrip economic growth, is an even more challenging task.
After months of uncertainty, the nation waits in bated breathe as the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippine prepares to pound its gavel on the constitutionality of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RH) law.
On July 16 last year, the embattled measure suffered another major setback, when justices voted 8-7 — a status quo ante order would remain until further orders from the SC.
A status quo ante order means going back to the situation before the law was implemented. In the last original status quo ante order, the magistrates voted 10-5.
With speculations that the high tribunal would rule against RH law, Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte cautioned the SC “to carefully consider that their resolution could be a veto against the will of majority of our people.”
Belmonte urged the High Court to consider the passage of law, after 13 years and four months of untiring efforts almost all concerned sectors of the government.
Since its enactment by President Benigno Aquino in December 2012, the RH law has gleamed a ray of hope to the country’s runaway population and rising maternal deaths. This should be protected and promoted. It is now up to the SC to not let these efforts be nipped.
As a reminder, the RH law will require the government to make contraceptives available to the public and provide public information on the full range of family planning options.
Considering the continuing threats brought about by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and teenage pregnancies, RH law also calls for the introduction of reproductive health and sexuality classes for pre-teens.
Among the many principles surrounding the proposed bill are gender equality and women empowerment as central elements of reproductive health and population development; coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor; and freedom of choice, as guaranteed by the state.
Belmonte also assured that the petitions that led to the halt of the RH law were already given ample time to be heard, discussed and debated upon during the pendency of the measure in Congress.
The RH law still recognizes abortion as illegal and punishable by law. But the government will ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.
“I have faith the Supreme Court will take these essential matters into account in coming up with a decision that benefits the vast majority, just as we in Congress have done our role at responding to the majority’s urgent need for this law,” Belmonte concluded, saying that the “ball is now in their court.”
The world population is expected to reach 10 billion in 2050.
As one of Asian’s fastest-growing nations in term of population, the Philippines faces more pressure, when it comes to addressing population control. Although, anathema to the Church and other pro-life advocates, a hard look on RH law’s policies is the only likely option right now.
A ballooning population interlinks a myriad of issues. But its control equates a matter of survival of the human race. Controlling the population may not be the ultimate solution to such survival, but it renders a chance for a better future.
Obviously, RH law is not the only solution to all of the nation’s problems. It will not stop corruption, mend economic problems, nor end poverty.
(AJPress)