People living with the dead in Philippines

The overpopulation problem in the country has resulted in a devastating situation where people are compelled to build houses with wooden shacks and plastic over tombs in the Northern Cemetery of Manila, Philippines. It is home to 6,000 people who live and work among the tombstones.  Squatter settlements are a predominant issue in India as well, Mumbai has 2,000 squatters where people live on illegal land near railway tracks or toxic garbage dumps.

What are the main reasons for overpopulation in Philippines?

Philippines has the fastest growth rate in South Asia of about 2.36%, with 5,400 babies born each day. One major reason for this increasing rate is the religious pressure of the Catholic Church, which is against abortion, sterilization and all forms of contraception. Thus the lack of family planning efforts has resulted in immense poverty, as overpopulation and poverty go hand in hand. Also, the increased rate of urbanization due to migration to cities has caused a rising pressure on the urban land. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012

Also known as the RH law, this Act aimed at providing universal access to contraceptives and maternal care to the citizens of Philippines. It made sex education and reproductive health education mandatory in government schools. The Catholic Church called this Act ‘Anti-Life’ and termed contraception as corruption.

ASSESSMENT

More than 80% of the population in Philippines is Roman Catholic; hence a majority of it would abide by the strict regulations of the church.  The absence of sex education and contraceptives could affect maternal mortality rate in the country. The issue of squatting has major health implications due to poor sanitation facilities, which becomes a source of outbreak of diseases.  

By building low cost house projects for them, the government can overcome the negative implications of the squatting process. The government can also provide jobs to them in industries, business and trade to reduce poverty caused due to unemployment.  Efforts should be made to reduce the dependency ratio to two workers supporting one dependent rather than one worker for one dependent, so that there is more saving in the household that gives more money to the economy. Appropriate government policies to control population should be introduced, like tax of 10-20% of income after a second child or forced sterilization of women after their second delivery.