Some Filipino couples prefer pets over babies due to economic reasons — CPD

Some Filipino couples nowadays prefer to take care of pets rather than having their own children due to economic reasons, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) said on Monday.

CPD spokesperson Mylin Mirasol Quiray said some couples want to be financially stable first before having babies.

"So, mayroon tayong qualitative data, 'no. Nakita natin na iyong ibang mga Pilipino, mas gusto nila nag-aalaga ng pets over children kasi economic na raw ang gusto ng mga couples natin ayon sa aming study. Bago magkaanak, iyong economic situation muna nila ay dapat maayos," said Quiray in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(We have qualitative data on this wherein we saw that some Filipinos prefer to take care of pets than having children. Before having children, they want to fix their economic situation first.)

"So, uso na po iyan ngayon. 'Di ba po sa mall, mayroon pong mga strollers, pero ano po ang laman ng stroller, pets–aso or pusa po. So iyon, so nakikita naman natin iyan sa study," she added.

(So that's the norm now. As you can see in malls, there are some with strollers carrying their pet dogs or cats. So we observed that in our study.)

Further, the commission noted that it is pushing for responsible parenthood and family planning.

"Gusto talaga natin, tayong mga magulang 'no, iyong mga magulang po ay responsible sa pagpapamilya," said Quiray.

(We really want to have parents who are responsible to their families.)

"At ang mga couples po, mayroon silang family planning, ibig sabihin, kung gusto nilang mag-family planning at kung kailan nila gusto, ano ang bilang ng anak na gusto nila, iyon po ang makamit nila," she added.

(So couples can practice family planning wherein they can decide when to have children, and how many they want to have.)

The CPD said it is working on the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023 to 2028, which also promotes teenage pregnancy prevention, and active and healthy aging.

As part of responsible family planning efforts, the CPD encouraged parents to openly discuss sexuality with their children amid the cases of pregnancy among young girls.

Quiray noted there were over 2,000 births from girls aged 10 to 14 in 2019. This increased to more than 3,300 births by 2023, she added.

The commission added that discussing body parts should be openly discussed at home.

"Maaari rin po yung mga parents natin, hindi nakikipagusap tungkol sa sekswalidad sa ating mga anak. So sinasabi po talaga natin na kausapin ang ating mga anak. Puwede namang calling our body parts as they are… Puwede ring teaching about 'good touch,' 'bad touch,' para 'yung abuse at an early ma-prevent na po," said Quiray.

(Maybe also our parents are not discussing sexuality with their kids. So we always encourage them to discuss it with their children. We can actually call our body parts as they are… You can also teach them about 'good touch,' 'bad touch' so they will be aware of abuse and it can be prevented.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News