population management not population control

population management not population control
by Arjay S. Felicilda

The government is now promoting population management, not population control.
This and other concerns were taken up during the Media Practitioners’ Advocacy Workshop on Responsible Parenthood and Natural Family Planning in Davao City, October 22-24 this year.
Angelo Barreto Palmones, station manager of DZMM Manila, pointed out that population control is not population management, or vice versa. They are not synonymous with each other.
“When we talk of population, it is merely a presentation of the problem, without citing any suggested solutions. But when we connect management to population, it becomes an intelligent and broad undertaking,” Palmones said.
In his book “Writing and Reporting About Responsible Parenting and Natural Family Planning (RP/NFP)”, Palmones stated that a discussion of population management affects all facets of life that include homes, offices, factories and other establishments.
Attended by select broadcast and print media practitioners from all over Mindanao, the three-day capability-building activity was initiated by the Commission on Population (POPCOM, headed by Executive Director Tomas Osias, in collaboration with the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), led by Executive Director Eden Divinagracia PhD.
It was aimed at equipping the participants with basic understanding on population and development, responsible parenthood and natural family.
The participants were Benny Queman (DXMS), Venjie Firmalino (DXKI), Ana Theresa F. Basilio, RN (Mindanao Daily Mirror), Merlyn Aznar (Kidapawan Times), Gorgonio Loable (Mindanao Scoop), Teogenes Yrat (DXCO/PopDev PC), Benjie Caballero (Sultan Kudarat), Irah Vanesa Gelacio (DXVL FM), Fema Joy Dalumpines (DXGM), Bobby Tagontong (Cotabato City), Arjay S. Felicilda (BWM/PopDev PC), Salvador Santiago (DXXX), Sotero San Pedro (DXRT), Manny Pajarito and (Mindanao Daily Mirror) and this reporter of Businessweek Mindanao and Population and Development Press Corps – Cagayan de Oro Chapter.