The Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) has commended President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for formalizing the landmark passage of Republic Act 11596, otherwise known as “An Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage,” which criminalizes the union of an adult with a minor.
The ongoing pandemic has manifested its polarizing effects on Filipinos’ socioeconomic standing, as it pushed more than 4 million individuals deeper into poverty, while lifting some 800,000 out of economic hardships.
According to recent Philippine Statistics Authority reports on official poverty statistics and causes of death, 4,300,000 Filipinos, or about 861,300 families, sank below the poverty threshold in regions which saw over 90% of COVID-19-related deaths as of September 2021.
The Philippine population is expected to achieve a historic record in 2021, as the total number of Filipinos is projected to increase by only 324,000 for the entire year—just a 0.3% increase compared to 2020.
According to the Commission on Population and Development, this annual “natural increase” is the lowest since the period between 1946 and 1947, when the population grew by 254,000. As such, Filipinos will number 109,991,095 at the end of 2021—lower by 2 million than earlier projections based on a 1.63% population growth rate or PGR.
The Commission on Population and Development – Region XII (POPCOM XII) turned over Surallah’s Ecological Profile (EP) books to the Municipality of Surallah, Province of South Cotabato last December 21, 2021. POPCOM XII Regional Director Edwin Mateo P. Quijano, assisted by Information Officer (IO) III Alvin Dwight Asentista and Project Evaluation Officer (PEO) II Carlito Tolog, personally handed over the SEP books to Mayor Antonio O. Bendita, together with the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator (MPDC) Joyce A. Lubaton. Present were the Provincial Population Officer of South Cotabato, Ms. Zenaida A. Duron and her staff Tristan Navos and Vanessa Pamplona.
1. Inquirer – Bill raising statutory rape age awaits Duterte nod
2. Philippine News Agency – House ratifies bill raising statutory rape age to 16
3. PhilStar – Migration and labor shortage
4. Business World – Gender-based violence survivors have recourse in national emergency hotline
5. Inquirer – Dominguez: PH economy to ‘boom’ postpandemic