Manila: A lawmaker is pushing to provide electricity in rural areas to enhance development and in the hopes that it will help curb population growth.
Representative Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes said the lack of electricity in the barrios has left rural Filipinos with limited options to entertain themselves.
Instead, they often turn to the most accessible diversion, romance.
"As the saying goes, darkness breeds romance," Sarmiento said in a statement released by the House of Representatives.
Two issues
Sarmiento said that by bringing electrical power to the barrios, the government will be figuratively hitting two birds with one stone — addressing the population growth problem, and bringing electricity, and consequently development to rural people.
The suggestion from Sarmiento comes at a time when the government and the Catholic Church are conflicted over the issue of birth control.
Informed choice
The administration of President Benigno Aquino is the supporting the so-called "informed choice" approach in tackling the country's population growth.
At the current rate of growth, the Philippines could theoretically have 94 million inhabitants by the end of 2010.
Given the country's limited resources and susceptibility to natural disasters, it will experience difficulty feeding its population.
The "informed choice" approach pushes for natural birth control methods, such as abstinence and other alternatives, in addition to artificial birth control practices such as the use of condoms and contraceptive pills.
