Philippines Economics of Developing Countries Essay

For example, in January 2001 President Macapagal-Arroyo occupied the presidency after a civilian coup, backed by the military, until elections took place in May 2004 (Orbeta 2003, p.8). The lack of population control, decreased access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and opportunities has been particularly "deleterious" in its effects upon the nation's resources of human capital (Orbeta 2003, p.12). Additionally, longstanding political corruption has resulted in the exploitation of the nation's natural resources to serve foreign and domestic elites and limited the available funds to deal with the burgeoning population (Tarradell 2004, p.3).

Another problem with population control is that it is hard to tell which aspects of the high fertility and poverty rates are willed or unwilled. For cultural and religious reasons, as well as to ensure their security in old age, many families desire large numbers of children. "To sort which ones are due to lack of control over fertility and which ones are due to preferences" is essential to create an effective birth control campaign (Orbeta 2003, p.13). The nation's high population density of 282 inhabitants per sq km means that fertility control is essential to reach the other ambitious environmental goals set by PA 21. Although some of the Philippines' southern islands are sparsely populated, these areas are often undesirable to live in for political reasons, given that they are home to armed conflicts and terrorist groups (Tarradell 2004, p.3)..

There is fear, on the most basic level, that if action is not taken soon, the population will be less able to feed itself: high population growth will result in over-farming: 34% of the Philippines is currently under agricultural cultivation and severe droughts and hurricanes are endemic to the region due to the El Nino and La Nina effect. Air and water pollution and damage to the coast has also resulted in a decline of sustenance fishing, another source of food (Tarradell 2004, p.3). Environmental sustainability and the promotion of economic development are thus in fact harmonious -- a lower birth rate will make the nation more sustainable and able to feed itself and free up circulating capital and resources in the future for the current generation of young Filipinos.

Works Cited

Tarradell, Mireia. (2004, June) Philippines case study analysis of national strategies for sustainable development. National Sustainable Development research project.

Retrieved July 5, 2009 at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2004/measure_sdsip_philippines.pdf

Orbeta, Aniceto C. (2003, August). Population, poverty and….....