IN 2010, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Gilberto “Gibo” Teoodoro or Manuel Villar may be president. He inherits three “inevitables”: death, taxes and nearly 92 million Filipinos--or 20 Singapores.

In 2016, Noynoy, Chiz, Gibo or Manny leaves Malacañang.

He’ll pass on three “inevitables”: death, taxes and probably 101.6 million Filipinos--or eight Cambodias.

That’s a given.

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Population growth has a momentum that ignores presidents, or bishops. Majority of Filipinos are young. Many start families early. And they tarry in reproductive years longer. Family planning services are patchy.

Other Asian nations completed “demographic transition”, i.e. death and birth rates drop, and population stabilizes at lower levels. We haven’t started. Look at the “Asean Twins”: Thailand and the Philippines.

In 1970, both had similar populations. Thailand adopted a population policy. We waffled.

Today, there are almost 64 million Thais. Contrast that with 88.5 million Filipinos.

A bogged down demographic transition added almost one Malaysia to us.

Ironically, both sides on the Reproductive Health Bill issue agree on key points.

All concur that the cascade of wizened ill-nourished babies, into city slums or rural hovels, short of food, medicine, clean water, etc. is a scandal. If this continues, we forfeit all claims to being a humane society.

All agree on responsible parenthood.

The Catholic bishops’ 2nd Plenary Council taught: Parents should “beget only those children they can raise up in a truly human and Christian way…The decision on number of children rests solely with parents.”

“It is legitimate for government to orient the demography of population,” the Catholic catechism says.

It can do so by information, but not by coercion or “means contrary to moral law.”

All recoil from abortion.

Yet, “nearly half a million Filipinas opted for underground abortions, in 200.”

Illegal clinics and hilots ply their sub-rosa trade. Abortions may be up to 700,000 today.

Both sides agree families should be educated, including natural family planning methods.

Almost a third (27 percent) of women in the poorest fifth of population wants to limit their families but they lack information and services.

Bucking artificial contraception is not enough, says the new book: “Natural Family Planning.”

Practical programs, must replace acrimony, so family needs specially of the neediest, are met
The book examines experience in “frontier” Mindanao dioceses and “traditional” dioceses.

This compendium is a proactive response, wrote then CBCP president Angel Lagdameo in the foreword.

Cagayan de Oro has an all NFP program in key parishes.

Its programs incorporate the improved Standard Days Method, which CBCP accepts.

Only parishes that volunteer may join. No funds from government or foreign agencies are used.

Contraceptives are excluded.

“We must give an effective answer to stark realities of unwanted pregnancies, abortions and use of contraceptives, Cagayan de Oro’s Archbishop Antonio Ledesma writes.

He urges openness to government support for NFP programs.

“Some look at the risks involved,” he wrote. “I look at the hope.”

Isn’t that from St. James letter of AD 50?

If you say to the needy “go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but do not give them help, “of what use is it?”

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 27, 2009.