Councilor Caesar Distrito*
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has passed a resolution urging the City Population Office (POPCOM) and the City Health Office (CHO) to develop and implement aggressive, data-driven population control programs.
This move is aimed at addressing rising population concerns and the alarming rates of teenage and unplanned pregnancies, a press release said.
Authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito, the resolution highlights the growing strain on public resources caused by continued population growth.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country’s population reached over 112 million as of July 2024, an increase of nearly 3.7 million since 2020.
The resolution emphasizes that even modest population growth increases the demand on public health, education, infrastructure, and social welfare systems.
Distrito pointed out that teenage and unplanned pregnancies particularly affect low-income families, leading to higher school dropout rates, adverse maternal and child health outcomes, and a cycle of poverty.
“We must act now. Curbing teenage and unplanned pregnancies is not just a health issue—it is an economic and social imperative,” Distrito said.
“By investing in reproductive health education and responsible parenthood, we can empower our communities and better safeguard our government’s limited resources, ” he said
The approved resolution calls on the relevant city offices to design and implement comprehensive and sustained programs focused on adolescent health education, community outreach, and reproductive health services.
It urges a multi-sectoral approach anchored on data, compassion, and urgency. The City Council hopes this initiative will lead to more resilient families, healthier communities, and a more sustainable future for Bacolod City.*