Monday, April 21, 2008 Seares: Less food, more people By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
TO ONE priest, Msgr. Achilles Dakay, Cebu Archdiocese media liaison officer no less, it’s uncanny timing that population census results were released amid the rice crisis.
Is Government saying that with increasing number of Filipinos (88 million) and rising problem of food security worldwide, it’s now more compelling to push stronger birth control that the Church condemns?
Maybe not, although figures from National Statistics Office (NSO) support Palace strategists who tie food scarcity to abundance of people.
The 2007 national census numbers were already due for release. That the steep climb in population chart jibes with long queues before rice stalls may just be coincidental.
Or deliberate. Many Filipinos, not just “Mons” Dakay, suspect each Palace move. It’s not totally paranoia for one to see mischief or evil lurking behind Government’s most innocent activity.
Irritant
Rice crisis? Manipulated to make whistleblower Jun Lozada irrelevant. Multibillion-peso subsidy to food producers? Concocted to provide a rich source of corruption. Even erratic weather is deemed God’s reminder of the Lord’s displeasure over government scandals.
Hate or distrust can lead to a warped view of a major issue or the most mundane thing such as Gloria’s pantsuits.
Except for few bishops and priests who look kindly to the President as member of the flock and source of earthly favors, clergy tends to be suspicious too.
Population has been an irritant between a church that says there can be no meddling with the Lord’s purpose of creation and a government that worries how to supply cheap rice to its people.
