Eastern visayas: The Commission on Population and Development-Eastern Visayas (CPD-8) announced on Monday that the region is maintaining a demographic advantage with its fertility rate remaining stable at two children per mother from 2022 to 2025. This data, derived from the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey, highlights the region's potential for sustained population balance and economic opportunity.

According to Philippines News Agency, the stability in fertility rates provides Eastern Visayas with a unique chance to leverage its demographic dividend. CPD-8 Director Elnora Pulma stated that with a steady fertility rate and an increasing working-age population, the region is well-positioned to drive inclusive growth, contingent upon intensified investments in human capital. Pulma highlighted the importance of focusing on transforming the population into a productive asset by enhancing education, health, and access to accurate information, enabling individuals to make informed life choices and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) indicate that regions with stable fertility levels, such as Eastern Visayas, are in a favorable position. However, Pulma cautioned that without adequate job creation and structural transformation, these regions may struggle to convert demographic advantages into economic gains. She called on local government units (LGUs) to adopt a proactive and integrated approach to ensure long-term, inclusive growth.

Pulma urged LGUs to analyze local population dynamics and tailor strategies to meet their specific demographic, cultural, and development needs. She emphasized the importance of linking population dynamics with regional development planning to align demographic trends with economic priorities, ensuring that policies are responsive to the evolving needs of communities.