A THREE-CHILD rule is needed to improve economic growth, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte told his constituents Monday during his last flag-raising ceremony as mayor of Davao City.
He vowed to install a family-planning program in the country.
“I will reinstall the program of family planning. Three [children and no more]—that would be good. Social workers must be proactive,” Duterte said.
He earlier admitted that his proposal for a three-child policy was merely a “suggestion” since he could not force people to heed it.
“No, I cannot force people to follow. We are just suggesting that you are in good hands if you limit the number of your children,” Duterte said.
He said he was pushing for a “rapid and sustained implementation” of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act even if 80 percent of the Filipinos are Catholic and that religion opposes abortion and contraception.
“Better shape up. The Church should shut up. We’re at war,” said Duterte whose views on family planning are contrary to the Church’s views.
His senior economic advisers say an increased push for reproductive health services give them access to condoms and pills and sex education in schools.
Duterte says his stance on family planning, on the death penalty and corruption would improve the country’s economy and encourage investors to come in.
“If the situation of the country improves, it will also improve your quality of life. Just make this country peaceful and we will have investment coming in,” he said.