PHL population now at 101.8M —National Census

The Philippine population is now at 101.8 million or 10% higher than the 92.3 million in 2010, according to the latest national census data.

Citing experts' opinion, a report on "Balitanghali" on Sunday said the increase in the country's population has deep implications not only on the economy but also on the capability of the government to provide services needed by every Filipino to live a decent life.



"Instead of spending resources for sustainable development, napupunta sa infrastructure and other services ang pondo ng gobyerno," said Benjamin de Leon, president of The Forum for Family Planning and Development.

Dr. Antonio Perez III, executive director of the Commission on Population, said there is no problem with a huge population if there are enough jobs for those in their productive age.

"Right now, there are 61 dependents for every 100 Filipinos who are of productive age. But not all the productive Filipinos are working. Around four to five million of them are not working or are under employed," Perez said.

"That means, nabawasan pa yung 100 who could potentially support 61 dependents. So we need to provide services for all the dependents in this country," he added.

According to the Commission on Population, the ideal number of children in the family is two, the "Balitanghali" report said.

From August 10 to September 6 this year, the government conducted a population count, wherein  enumerators from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) visited houses and other living quarters to collect information such as age, sex, and occupation of the people in their respective areas.

The census was primarily aimed at providing the government with population data that would serve as bases for social and economic development plans.

Socioeconomic planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the census "is particularly useful for development planning from the national to local levels, for investment programming, and for targeting beneficiaries of social services such as health, education, housing and social protection."
 
Also, he said the population count "is an important input for political exercises, as the formation of congressional districts and cities depend partly on population count. In the same manner, it is also a basis for determining the amounts to be allocated for LGUs."
 
Respondents are required to provide "truthful and complete answers to statistical inquiries" under the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 or Republic Act No. 10625. Violation of the law entails a penalty of one-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.
 
In the 2010 census, the Philippines had a population of 92.3 million—more than 12 times the 7.6 million recorded when the first census was conducted in 1903. — LBG, GMA News