High Birth Rate Good for Philippines, Bishop Argues

Overpopulation has been advantageous to the Philippines, contrary to the aims of the reproductive health (RH) law, declared Bishop Gilbert Garcera of the Diocese of Daet, the capital of Camarines Norte. Inquirer.net reports that Garcera believes overpopulation has increased the number of OFWs who send remittances back home, care for aging people abroad and spread the Christian faith. He also said many Filipino women would make “good wives” for foreigners in countries that have low population growth. Overpopulation, he added, could be part of “God’s plan for Filipinos to be caregivers to aging nations whose populations had become stagnant."