Saturday, November 18, 2006 Decision on number of kids still up to couples: agency
PUSHING for population management and family planning does not mean the government intends to take over the decision of how many children a couple can have, said the Population Commission (Popcom)-Southern Mindanao.
This belief was spawned some time ago when the Reproductive Health Bill filed with Congress met strong resistance from those against population control and was peddled as a "two-child policy."
Popcom Director Maduh Damsani stressed that the government leaves the decision to the couple on how many children they would like to have provided it is in accordance with the concept of responsible parenthood.
Damsani, who spoke at the I-speak Press Conference at the City Hall to promote the Population and Development (Popdev) week celebration on November 23 to 29, said the emphasis of the government's campaign is centered on the health and socio-economic concerns that surround a family.
The Popdev Week themed "Responsableng Pagpamilya para sa Kalusugan at Kaunlaran: Sa Tamang Agwat ng Panganganak, Pamilya ay Aangat," stresses the need for "birth spacing" and not limiting the number of children as others tend to believe.
Damsani explains that yearly pregnancy will not only harm the mother health-wise but could also jeopardize the child's development in all areas since having a series of infants in the household would tend to limit the support system within the family financially and physically. That is why a minimal two-year gap between pregnancies is advised.
The Popcom director added that the government as well as the church is merely providing the guidelines after which the public could pattern plans for the family.
Meaning, if a couple opts to have a dozen children, then they have every right to do so. But it would be best for the mother to have these 12 children in a span of 34 years. (GLP)
