PH Population May Reach 105.75M By End 2017

The population of the Philippines, standing at a little over 102 million in 2016, may balloon to a whopping 105.75 million if the Supreme Court does not reverse its decision and lift a temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued that halted the full implementation of the 2012 Reproductive Health Law (Republic Act 10354).

Using current population data, the Commission on Population projected that the increase is mainly due to the increased number of females reaching the reproductive ages of 15-49, as well as the notably high fertility rates in 11 of the 17 regions in the country.

Access To Affordable Contraception Blocked

The SC TRO effectively stopped the expansion of the Department of Health’s family planning program. According to the PopComm website, the TRO stopped the use of the progesterone subdermal implant in the family planning program. These implants which are stockpiled in DOH warehouses will expire by the end of 2017, according to a Philippine Star report.

It also called for the “re-registration” of FDA-approved contraceptive methods such as birth control pills, asking the FDA to show that these were not abortifacent.

Because of this, 14 out of 48 registered contraceptives have been taken out of the market and also out of the family planning program. New contraceptives are also subject to the TRO, thereby limiting the choices of women to quality reproductive health methods.

Very High Fertility Rates

Without access to more reliable and modern contraceptive methods, Filipino women will bear the brunt of having more children. Not only will it be hard on the women physically, it will also be difficult for them to raise more than three children on a meager income.

According to PopComm’s Executive Director, the lack of access to contraceptive methods will be mostly felt in the regions where fertility rates are higher than the national average. He pointed out that ARMM, Bicol and Western Visayas have the highest rates so far.