(MANILA) - The local representative of the European Union (EU) in the Philippines on Wednesday endorsed a bill for population control that has been harshly opposed by the dominant Catholic church.

Alistair MacDonald, head of the EU delegation here, praised a group of legislators for their "courage" in seeking passage of a bill that would implement a serious family planning programme including sex education and distribution of contraceptives in the Philippines.

"I wish them every success," he said, without referring to the strong opposition to the bill from the dominant Catholic church, which has even threatened to excommunicate legislators who vote for the bill.

"I find it astonishing, and indeed extremely short-sighted, that the national government is not prepared to take the lead in helping to inform the public about the importance of an effective reproductive health policy," said MacDonald.

He also said the government should ensure that "adequate resources are made available for reproductive health."

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, a staunch Catholic, has opposed distribution of contraceptives, which are disallowed by the Catholic church.

The Philippines has one of the highest birthrates in Asia, with the population growing at around two percent annually and expected to hit 100 million within the next five years, according to the National Statistics Office.

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