Tabuk City, Kalinga - Benny II Taguinod Senica of Linglingay, Tabuk City, one of the babies who pushed the population of the Philippines to 100 million on July 27, 2014, just celebrated his 7th birthday.
The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Kalinga spearheaded by Governor Ferdinand B. Tubban along with Population Officer Rose Alunday, Provincial Health Officer Edward Tandingan, and Valerie Pis-o joined Senica’s family in celebrating his birthday on July 27, 2021.
The PLGU handed over a cake, tokens, and over P7,000.00 gift check to the family.
Governor Tubban has also extended his greeting to the "Symbolic 100 millionth baby" through his Facebook post saying, “Nagasat ni Benny ta isuna ket maysa kadagiti naiyanak iti daydi nga aldaw nga nakadanunan ti Pilipinas ti populasyon nga 100 million. Happy Birthday 100 millionth baby!”
Struggle on the increasing population
However, the celebration has also posed concerns about the growing population of the country.
The Commission on Population (PopCom) reports that the birth of the 100 millionth symbolic babies nationwide remains a challenge for the government, since birth would always translate to an increase in resource demand to the family’s capacity, challenging parents to seek more financial activities just provide the needs of their children.
Kalinga Population Officer Rose Alunday, during the radio program of the Office of the Governor, reminded the responsibilities of parents in supporting their children’s basic needs, such as education and health.
“Maipalagip met ti responsibilidad tayo a kas in-na, am-ma, amin a parentes nga dumakdakkelen iti populasyon tayo ket masapul nga amuwen tayo nga adda ti responsibility tayo as parentes, a dagituy nga ubbing ket umad-adu ket, kaya tayo ba nga i-support dagidiay edukasyon da , ken salun-at da?” Alunday said.
Responsible parenthood and family planning
The Population Officer likewise raised the problem of increasing teenage pregnancy. As per record, for the year 2020, around 2,206 under the age of 19 gave birth, with one case under the 10-14 years bracket.
For the first six months of 2021, 66 teenage mothers gave birth, 2 of them are aging 10-14.
As a response, the Provincial Implementation Teams of the different agencies and the Technical Working Group are intensifying their information education communication (IEC) campaign on responsible parenthood and family planning and are likewise promoting adolescence health and development.
“Tapnu iti kasta maadaan met ti IEC kadagituy nga adolescents ken kasta met iti parents ken dagituy nga activities, involving also the men because they are also responsible for that, han laeng nga babbai,” Alunday explained.
The Population Officer added the IEC was conducted in Tinglayan and the teams are planning to other municipalities from August to December this year.
“Adda ti cases nga gapu ta nakaadal ti tao wennu nataengan, han da ngay nga ag-premarriage counseling, mashortcut laengen. Su diay ti makita mi nga maysa nga maibinsa-binsa kuma at the early years of marriage diay responsibility tapnu possible nga adda ti proper guidance for our children nu dumakkel da,” Alunday concluded.
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