The province of Catanduanes had the lowest annual average growth rate at 1.08 percent and its population is expected to double in about 63 years. With an area comprising only 8.6 percent of the total land area of the region, Catanduanes is the least dense among Bicol provinces with a population density of 154 persons per square kilometer. Camarines Sur, the biggest Bicol province in terms of land area, is third densest with a population density of 321.6 persons per square kilometer. The province of Albay, which hosts Bicol’s regional center, is the most densely populated province in the region with a population density of 466.5 persons per square kilometer. On the average, the Bicol Region had a population density of 290 persons per square kilometer as of the latest population count, up from 265 persons per square kilometer in 2000.

A burgeoning population puts pressure on household resources to meet basic human needs and the capability of government to provide basic social and economic services to its populace. Population increases likewise strain the capacity of environmental and natural resources to absorb greater human activity.

The increase in the Bicol Region’s population roughly translates into:

• An additional 48,153 MT in rice requirement from the 2000 level. On the average, a Bicolano consumes 110.7 kilograms of rice annually based on the Food Consumption Survey conducted by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics in 2000. At current NFA rice price, a family would need an additional P2,020.50 in its budget for each additional family member;

• Additional 4,615 MT of pork, 861 MT of beef and 1,944 MT of chicken meat requirement from the 2000 levels to satisfy per capita consumption of 10.61 kilograms of pork, 1.98 kilograms of beef and 4.47 kilograms of chicken meat based on the 2000 Food consumption Survey;

• 5,631 more policemen from its 2000 level if the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500 will have to be met. The number of policemen in the Bicol Region grew from 4,589 in 2000 to 5,270 in 2006. The required number of policemen in 2007 was 10,220 considering a 1:500 policeman to population ratio.

• 1,667 more firemen from its 2000 level based on the standard fireman-to-population ratio of 1:2,000. In 2000, there were only 888 firemen in the region growing to 980 by 2006.

The above are just a few illustrations of how increase in population impacts on household and public resources. Increase in population necessitates the implementation of economic and social adjustments to cushion its impact, a difficult task given the scarce family and government resources. The family has to stretch the meager budget further to take care of the its needs. The government on the other hand needs more resources for social services like schools, hospitals, day-care centers, etc. instead of its resources being allocated to boost the economy.

Sources of data:

Date posted: May 29, 2008