Neda-10: There is a need to reduce birth, mortality rates

An official of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)-Northern Mindanao said birth and mortality rates in the Philippines should be reduced so as to achieve the country’s demographic dividend.

Leon Dacanay Jr.of Neda 10 said the demographic dividend is attained through the transition that takes place when birth and mortality rates decline, and the government is spending less on the needs of the youngest and oldest age groups in the country. This allows a country to use its resources for investment in economic development and family welfare.

Based on the data from the Department of Health-Northern Mindanao, the total fertility rate of the region is at 2.7 in 2017, which is still higher that the anticipated replacement fertility level of 2.1.

“If you look at the population pyramid, mas maraming bata [age under 6 years old]. Kapag mas maraming bata, ibig sabihin, malaki yung dependency ratio (children under 6 years old has a large population. This means the dependency ratio is high),” Dacanay said.

“What we want is to have a population size which is basically... hindi na sya pyramid para maging kunti sana yung dependent natin (not like a pyramid with a small number of dependents),” he added.

The Neda regional director said they are now looking into the population structure of Thailand as a “model” for the country’s population management.

He said they are aiming for an economic structure wherein the labor force will have a larger population than those in the dependent sector.

“What we really want is for the population to have the characteristic na mas marami yung nasa (that there are more people in the) productive sectors then the dependents would

be lesser. Kasi pag lesser yung dependent, then yung budget (Because if there’s lesser dependents, then the budget) for social services intendent for the younger age is now to be used for other purposes for economic development,” Dacanay said.

Above 15 years old, according to Dacanay, are considered as part of the labor force.

Having more people in the productive sector, he said, will help in the development of the country, making economically active.

“Ganun yung basically concept natin (That’s basically the concept) in the effort to reduce birth rate and mortality rate,” Dacanay said.