The Commission on Population (PopCom) Central Office facilitated the Regional Consultation on Demographic Dividend and Training of Regional Implementers on June 19-21, 2018. It was hosted by PopCom-Central Visayas under the leadership of Regional Director Atty. Bruce N. Ragas. The regional consultation serves as avenue for the region to prioritize their actions following the National Implementation Plan. Moreover, it aims to orient the regional implementers on demographic dividend concepts to create universal appreciation and common understanding that will facilitate complementary actions in the ground. Participants of the said activity were the regional representatives from PopCom, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG) from Regions 6, 7, 8 9 and 10. The Philippine Statistics Authority, Regional Statistical Services Office 7 (PSA-RSSO 7) was also invited to attend the said activity. The resource speakers were Mr. Michael Dominic del Mundo and Ms. Denise Jannah Serrano from the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and University of the Philippines School of Statistics (UPSS), respectively. As shared, demographic dividend refers to the growth in an economy as a resulting effect of a change in the age structure of a country’s population. The change in age structure is typically brought about by a decline in fertility and mortality rates. If the fertility rate is 2.1 it is termed as the replacement rate, which means that it is consistent with stable population. The fall to replacement fertility is a unique and precious opportunity for higher economic growth – demographic dividend. Fertility rate that is neither too high nor too low is called demographic transition. There are three (3) phases of demographic transition. Phase 1 is triggered by initial decline in infant mortality; the young dependency group (0 to 14 years old) swells. In this phase the economic growth and saving rate are constrained since the young requires investment in health and education. Phase 2 is where the economic growth is promoted about 20 years later when the young dependents enter the working age group. Phase 3 is where the economic growth continues as the elderly cohort swells; individuals accumulate saving in their working years to serve as buffer during the retirement years.   

 

As part of the workshop the data variables for the demographic dividend computation was introduced. It was then followed by a simulation of the regional demographic dividend.  

 

Deputy Executive Director Lolito R. Tacardon presented the plan of action for reaching and optimizing the demographic dividend in the Philippines. Priorities to attain the regional transition were identified such that it can contribute to the national reaping of demographic dividend. 

 

 

(Sgd.) Engr. ARIEL E. FLORENDO
Regional Director