MINDANAO BUSINESS TACKLES POPULATION MANAGEMENT

Population management has been a major initiative of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry(PCCI) and selected chambers of commerce in Mindanao (Davao , Dipolog, Gen. Santos and Tawi Tawi) as well as in Luzon and the Visayas. It was felt that business intervention was needed to address the burgeoning problems that our excessive population growth stimulates. More importantly, population management offers us a new horizon to look at new methodologies in improving firm productivity and competitiveness. PCCI understands the effects of population growth and the part it plays in the Philippines’ development and growth of business. It aims to understand how population growth affects workers’ productivity and the necessary interventions to improve employer-employee relations.

In 2000, Mindanao had a population of 18,233,715 and is projected to increase by 2.11% in 2005 or 20,289,100. Region 11 is seen to be the area with the highest population increase in 2005 at 12.73% ; from 5,189,335 in 2000 to 5,905,254 in 2005. This is followed by Region 13 or CARAGA at 2,244,562 (11.99%) ; Region 1X at 3,526,566 (11.83%) and Reg X11 at 2,972,733 (11.72%).

Surprisingly the lowest projection for increase in population is at the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao ; from 2,412,159 in 2002 to 2,366,232 in 2005 or an increase of 8.18 % . This must be the result of the efforts to provide greater access to education and health services in the ARMM.

Mindanao data in 2000 would show that poverty incidence to population was 44.26% in 1997 and it went up to 46%; per capita poverty threshold was P10769.00 and per capita food threshold at P 7,434.00. The average annual income in 2000 was P 96,978.00 and expenditures was P 78,803.00. These figures are all affected by the rate of population – more people will call for more available jobs , more food and more of everything. Growth of business and economy should be much higher than increase in population so that life will be better for all.

Looking closely, population determines significant economic indicators such as labor productivity, economic growth, and prevalence of diseases, well-being of women and children, mortality, and poverty.

Businessmen in key centers of Mindanao now understand the implications of a high population rate and its profound impact on the sustainability of business. With the strong support of PCCI and its partners – more notably the Philippine Center for Population Development (PCPD) and PRISMS-USAID Programs , we were able to encourage nationwide participation in population management activities.

These activities include planning workshops, training modules, and seminars which bring information and spur activities in each of the area. The idea is to help individuals and couples to come up with an informed decision and to exercise their freedom of choice.

PCCI will be conducting a nationwide consultation all over the country specifically in drafting the criteria and terms of reference for a nationwide award and recognition for all levels of business that implements or conducts a population management program in the workplace. What is interesting is that this award will be open for even the small and medium sized firms , as well as the big multinational companies and industries.We hope to increase awareness through our program. These are baby steps that can eventually lead to a big leap.

The strategy that is being implemented in the region is three-pronged approach that include advocacy, linkages with service providers and setting up of common service facilities to cater to the eminent needs of SME workers and their families. This conventional approach enables local chambers to be self-sufficient as well as allowing them to develop innovative ideas to carry out tailor-fit programs to respond to their individual needs.

The Philippines still has a long way to go with respect to managing the country’s growing population. The common denominator, I guess amidst varied opinions among stakeholders in the society on this crucial issue, is the need to improve the living condition of some 30 million Filipinos in both urban and rural centers. Unless we see clear indications on how poverty in this country can be reduced substantially, then debates on population management are just as good as a lip service. We have to run programs that go beyond talks, we need policies that go beyond debates and we need champions to step beyond their call of duties, to become advocates for social change and progress.

Setting simple goals for ourselves like developing local chamber and infrastructure, personnel, and services can be considered a sizeable improvement. But, it’s not about doing extraordinary things – it’s doing things in an extraordinary way.