The Real Problem in Overpopulation

Overpopulation is defined as “the condition of having a population so dense as to cause environmental deterioration, an impaired quality of life, or a population crash” (www.merriam-webster.com). It is a state when the population of the same species in an environment is in excess of its carrying capacity. The effects may include depletion of resources, environmental deterioration and the prevalence of famine and disease. (www.thefreedictionary.com)

Is the Philippines overpopulated? According to the National Statistics Office (NSO) the estimated number of Filipinos this year (2010) is 94,013,200. There is a population growth rate of 1.95% since 2005. This means that there are at least three babies born every minute. Philippines ranks 14th most populated in the world and 3rd in Southeast Asia.

The 1.95% growth is already an improvement when compared to the growth in the year 2000 which is 2.36 percent. But still much needs to be done to lower the population growth so Filipinos can enjoy a better quality of life.

Why is overpopulation a serious problem for our country? Overpopulation in the Philippines is considered to be one of the primary reasons why our country is poor.
According to UNDP poverty and overpopulation go hand in hand. Overpopulation exacerbates the country’s two other social problems which is unemployment and food scarcity. To give a clear illustration let’s take for example a family with 2 children sharing 3 cups of rice for a meal. Supposing from 2005 to the present 2 more children is born into the family. Given the present economic situation where there is minimal or no wage increase and worse, unemployment, the family will have less income and more needs. They would still have to suffice with 3 cups of rice but this time with more members in the family sharing.

The population problem is evident when food supply is scarce and the production of rice is barely enough. When this happens, prices of food will also soar. This then leads to hunger because at least one third of the Philippine population is poor. According to a 2006 Reuters report “the number of poor is growing faster than the population.”

Health care assistance and benefits also become more limited. A big amount of the budget is already cut down because of corruption. With the budget left it can barely fund health care programs and benefits.

Aside from the economic problems brought about by overpopulation it also leads to environmental problems such as garbage disposal, air pollution and exhausted water systems. Another effect that is really felt in an average Filipino’s life is the shortage of fresh water for domestic and agricultural usage. If the population growth could not be kept at a minimum level, households waiting in long lines to fill their containers with water would happen more often to more households.

According to a 2003 Environment Monitor report only 36% of the country’s rivers are used as a source for water supply. 58% percent of groundwater sampled is contaminated with coliform and needs treatment. A big amount of the water pollution comes from domestic waste such as detergents, oils and solid waste. If left untreated, the water will cause diseases such as typhoid, cholera and dysentery.

Overpopulation also has a lot to do with the global problem of climate change. Global warming is a result of too much carbon footprints mankind makes on the planet. The more human beings on this earth, the more carbon footprint is made.

Lack of information about pregnancy, reproductive health, family planning and birth control is the primary reason for the uncontrollable increase in population in the country.
Suggestions and plans on implementing artificial birth control methods had been presented by various cause-oriented groups and even by some government officials. However, the Catholic church who has a strong influence on most Filipinos especially high-ranking officials in the country is steadfast in their voice against its implementation.

I believe that having many citizens is a treasure for a country. It can be a boon if a country’s resources are enough for every member’s needs. However the current situation in the Philippines could not support a rapid increase in population. Our resources are no longer sustainable.

I’ve cited some of the ill-effects of overpopulation. However the problem is not that Filipinos do not know this. Anyone who has presence of mind already knows that the country is overpopulated. The people also know the ill-effects of having too many people in an environment because they themselves experience the hazardous effects. The problem lies on knowing what to do about it and deliberating on one’s moral and religious conviction on how it should be done.

I believe that the Reproductive Health Bill should be implemented.(Provided that it does not legalize abortion) It will really help solve our problem with population growth. If this particular problem is solved, other national problems will also be solved. After all, the bill is not about curtailing the rights of the people. It is in fact giving them freedom- freedom to choose the kind of life they want to live. This bill gives them access to a better, more comfortable life. According to Suneeta Mukherjee, a UNFP representative “The issue of contraceptives is being debated in Congress, in the Church...[but] its not about sex or promiscuity, it’s about being able to control your life. . .it’s about human rights.”

Ideally the Natural Family Planning (NFP) method should first and foremost be considered. However, not all people have the self-control and discipline to strictly abide by it. Since plan A (NFP method) failed we should move on to plan B (artificial birth control methods).

Let the Filipino people choose. One’s personal convictions should not be imposed on another. Despite what the Catholic church says, I know for a fact that Philippines is an overpopulated place and overpopulation is a pressing problem that needs to be addressed soon.