Duterte to boost family planning programs

ABS-CBN News
Posted at May 22 2016 04:36 PM | Updated as of May 22 2016 08:07 PM
Scriptures irrelevant in solving overpopulation: Duterte

DAVAO CITY - With the country's 100-million population still ballooning, presumptive
President Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday that he will intensify family planning
programs despite possible opposition from the Catholic Church.
Duterte told reporters in Davao City that he is a Christian, but he does not see
anything wrong with educating the masses about reproductive health.
"It will do us good. Mas maraming magawa iyan, walang kasamaan iyan... I am a
Christian but I am a realist. We have to do something about overpopulation," he
said.
Duterte said he will not mimic other politicians whose reservations at flouting the
Catholic Church have stumped reproductive health programs. "Ako, I take the
opposite, I defy the belief of the Church," he said.
He said the scriptures being cited by detractors on family planning are already
outdated and irrelevant in solving overpopulation.
"Those were written 2,000 years ago or longer maybe. Wala nang meaning 'yan,"
Duterte said.
"I don't give much importance to the spiritual; walang maitutulong iyan, sa totoo
lang. What you should worry about is how you suffer here in this planet. You do not
worry about suffering after you make the exit," he added.