There was an article recently in the newspaper about the birthrate in the Philippines. In 2017, there were 2.7 children per woman. In 2022, the fertility rate was down to 1.9. The figure is 2.2 in rural areas and 1.7 in urban centers. This is already below the replacement level for two parents. Further, while this is applauded by those who push for population control, a shrinking population has dire consequences in a country, some of which include:

• Less workforce to pay for the pension of the older generations
• Lack of people who will take care of the older generation
• A decline in military strength
• A decline in innovation since change comes from youth
• A change in the economy due to fewer consumers

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Sto Nino. God became a child himself. Hence, children are very important. Three reasons why children are a blessing.

1. Each Child bring Joy. Whenever a baby or a child is brought to the room, it lightens up. Just ask lolo and lola. The joy brought by a baby or a child is priceless.
2. Each Child brings hope. Whenever there are children, we are assured of the next generation. The story of the family is continued and the story of the nation is continued. A young population is a dynamic population. In 2023, the median age of the Philippines is 25. The world median is 30.5 in 2023 and was only 20 in 1970. 5.1% of the Philippine population is above 65. Compared to Japan’s 28.2, Germany’s 21.4, Italy’s 22.8, Greece’s 21.8, France’s 20.3
3. Each Child has mission. There is no life that is an accident. God has a mission, a plan and a calling for each child.

In each mass this weekend, we pray for children:

• First, one very sad and very alarming reality is that there were 73 million abortions in 2023.  When it is the mother who can make this happen we know it is a different world already. What happens to the strongest bond of mother and child.
• Second, we pray for the parents. May they form and raise their children well, according to the Gospel values. When it is social media that shapes the minds of children, so many problems follow.
• Third, we pray for the governments that they may continue to watch over the rights and dignity of children. They are very prone to so many abuses: from physical to sexual, from emotional to online, from neglect to being made to work at a very young age.

God bless the children