Sound economic policy and not depopulation hold the key towards PHL development, Sagupa leader claims

TACLOBAN CITY- Efficient and effective economic management and not controlling the country’s population is the key towards economic development.

So says Nestor Lebico, secretary general of the farmers’ group Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (Sagupa-SB) when asked on the group’s stand on the controversial measure that appears to polarize the country.

“If the government just knows how to use all its resources to address the needs of the people, they don’t need to implement laws like the reproductive health bill to address the increasing number of population as they can provide what the people needs by implementing an effective social and economic program,” Lebico said.

A big population has been cited by some officials of the government as one of the reasons why the Philippines remains to be economically underdeveloped as providing the basic needs of the greater number of people drains the country’s limited financial resources.

“We have lots of resources which the government can use to address the needs of our people and not by passing this RH bill,” Lebico said.

“If we will look at our neighboring countries that are more progressive like China, they utilized all the resources that they have to ensure that their people will have something to earn and get for their living which will make them not dependable to their government,” the Sagupa secretary- general said.

The passage of the reproductive health bill has been stalled due to the strong opposition mainly from the Catholic Church.

If the measure would be approved, it could open floodgates that could result to increase on the number of abortion and promote promiscuity, among others, the Church said reason why they oppose the proposal.

The advocates of the measure, however, maintain that bill is important as it will address the current problem of the country particularly in addressing the high maternal and child mortality rate of the country.

Based on studies the country tops among Asian countries with high incidence of maternal mortality rate of 11 deaths in 24 hours due to complication on child delivery.(ROEL AMAZONA)