Battling Against the Rise of Population By HubertSheldon Diaz

The wealth of nation does not lie on its gold deposit but rather on its population that is physically fit, mentally alert, emotionally stable and spiritually strong. Population is a great human resource and considered the most important wealth of a nation. Their skills and abilities are much needed in paving the way for technological, socio-economic and cultural development. Technological advancement is possible when the population is resilient to changes around them. Socio-economic development is likely to happen when the population ably gives its best in participating in the financially viable activities of nation. In the same manner, cultural development is feasible when the population share their ideas to improve their lives and to make the necessary transitions in life. But what the world is facing nowadays about the human population explosion is distressing. Statistics shown that the population of the world today is over six billion and there are fears that it might double in this century. This population explosion is a great irritation for it creates wide variety of hindrances to the development and produces number of problems. These includes social ills such as unemployment, underemployment and environmental problems such as forest infringement, deforestation, fuel-wood depletion, soil erosion and declining fish and animal stocks, to name a few. According to the human population growth trend, every after 12 years the population grows 15,000 each hour or 90 million per year. The rate of natural population growth is 0.5% per year in the developed countries and 2% in a year on the developing nation. As the population of the world gets bigger per year t puts heavy pressure on the resources of the world as it leads to resource exhaustion that pare for a resource crisis. The people will be burdened by this because in effect, it leads to economic deficiency due to the shortage of food and other raw materials. Nature cannot answer all the demands of a growing population. Land, for example, it is being used as farmland would be transformed into residential area, depriving the source of food of people. Thomas Malthus said that population grows arithmetically while source of food grows geometrically. If this is so, we will soon not be able to support our growing population with enough food and energy. Poverty is the greatest problem faced by the world today, the Philippines included. Population explosion is likely the main reason for this quandary. What we have today would not be sufficient for the next couple of years. The effect of over-population on economic and agricultural sectors would be greatly felt. Studies show that a ig

population on a county is responsible for the decline of per capita income leading t an inflation diminishing the purchasing power of people as the prices of basic goods and commodities increased. Dislodgement of people would also happen due to the fact that land that are being used in other purposes like farmlands to residential areas or residential lands to business establishments. All these are the result of a rising population. It continues to grow until all available resources are consumed. When this happens, the poorest of the poor would have no chance to survive while the poor get poorer. What are then the possible solutions to this dilemma? Government intervention should take place so that it can introduce programs that will obstruct population growth. Some countries initiate program that offer people incentives for fewer children. Education should also be given priority for it is the most important tool to obstruct population growth. Government should modify school curricula that put population values to the present educational system. They could also conduct seminars or conferences among student so as to widen their awareness on population levels, its effect and implications for future. Furthermore, womens role in the society could be re-assessed so that they can be empowered economically, socially and legally. This will give them equal chance with their husbands in making reproductive decisions. In addition, government could sponsor seminars or trainings for the couple to have an access to family planning services. In the Philippines, government took a big step in creating solutions to growing population by making into law Republic Act 10354 entitled National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health. The said law was signed by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III last December 21, 2012.Responsible Parenthood refers to the will and ability of a parent to respond to the needs and aspirations of family and children. The couples will have a shared responsibility in determining and achieving the desired number of children, spacing and timing of their children according to their own family life aspirations, health status, taking into account psychological preparedness and sociocultural and economic concerns consistent with their religious convictions. On the other hand, Reproductive Health (RH) refers to the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. This implies that people are able to have a responsible, safe, consensual and satisfying sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so. This further implies that women and men attain equal relationships in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction. Moreover, the State recognizes and guarantees the promotion of gender equality, gender equity, women empowerment and dignity as a health and human rights concern and as a social responsibility. The advancement and protection of womens human rights shall be central to the efforts of the State to address reproductive health care. What is then the role of government in all these? The need to improve the conditions of women in the society is the key in all these. Gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health and population and

development. It entails equality in opportunities, in the allocation of resources or benefits, or in access to services in furtherance of the rights to health and sustainable human development among others, without discrimination. Furthermore, womens need to be educated not only on their role as parent is very vital for them to be given a more vital role in nation building. Employment opportunities should be open for them, especially in the rural areas. Amidst all controversies regarding RH law, still the bottom line here is self control to hamper the growth of population. Responsible Parenting is the key to combat all problems associated with the rapid population growth. There is also the need for reorientation on our culture like the eradication of the belief, the more, the merrier. This wrong connotation should be uprooted in the minds of the masses .Yes, given the fact that children are blessings from God, but keep in mind that these blessings could be distressing. Large Families generally have a lot of Blessings, but not all are given due care and attention. Due to poverty, most of them are involved in crimes thus just triggers the increase of the criminality rates. Time is running out for all of us. Much to our chagrin, the world is getting smaller in the passing of years as population becomes oversized. We cannot stand as this planet deteriorates due to the endless demands of people in exhausting natural resources. This 6 billion human population that grows hundreds of thousands each day is really a nightmare! Wake up people! Efficient actions should be taken but before we act, we think first. We cannot let this planet explode.