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...
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