ILOILO – Western Visayas is the Philippines’ fifth most populated area, the 2020 Census of Population and Housing showed. The Commission on Population (POPCOM) enjoins couples to continue availing themselves of the government’s free family planning services.
The region had a population size of 7,954,723 (as of May 1, 2020) – 5.55 percent up from 7,536,383 recorded in the (Aug. 1) 2015 Census of Population.
Between 2015 and 2020, the average increase in population each year was 83,668, said Jonathan Dioteles, assistant regional director of POPCOM.
Here’s the provincial breakdown of the region’s population based on the latest census:
* Negros Occidental – 2,633,172 or an increase of 125,911
* Iloilo – 2,051,899 or increase of 115,473
* Capiz – 804,952 or an increase of 43,558
* Aklan – 615,475 or an increase of 40,652
* Antique – 612,974 or an increase of 30,952
* Guimaras – 187,842 or an increase of 13, 229
Despite the increase, Dioletes said Region 6 slid a rank down. The region was the fourth most populous area in the country in 2015.
According to state statisticians, Region 4-A (Calabarzon) had the most number of inhabitants at 16,195,042. It was followed by the National Capital Region (13,484,462), Region 3 or Central Luzon (12,422,172) and Region 7 or SCentral Visayas (8,081,988).
Overall, the Philippine had a population of 109,035,343 as of May 1, 2020.
Dioletes said Western Visayas’ average increase in population was lower than their earlier projection – 100,000 increase per year.
However, Dioletes said it could still be deemed high as they were expecting, ideally, just two children for a couple.
“Ang ideal sa isa ka parent, ang ila bata duha lang dapat pero nakita ta sa data nga more than sa duha ka bata,” he added.
NEGOCC TOP POPULOUS IN WV
Dioletes underscored that Negros Occidental had a high fertility level and this could be due to its high poverty rate, or lack of awareness about family planning.
“Ang factor, una taas ang ila fertility level, mas damo ang nagapamata sa province kay it follows nga kon damo gani ang mga pigado bala, kon mataas ang poverty incidence, mas daku ang tsansa nga magtaas ang population,” he said.
And due lack of knowledge about family planning, Dioletes said residents may have the low acceptance of it.
With this, POPCOM would be beefing up its family planning services especially down to the barangay level to encourage parents to use modern family planning methods.
Dioletes is also encouraging parents to visit their nearest health facilities or Rural Health Units if they want to understand more of family planning./PN
