Thursday, May 19, 2011

Reproductive Health Bill - The Philippine Version

(May 18, 2011)As of this writing, the debate about the pros and cons of Reproductive Health Bill in the Philippines is a hot topic, even at the far flung barangays of the country.
The boxing legend-turned-legislator, Congressman Emmanuel 'Manny ' Paquiao, initiated the move to file a legislation opposing the implementation of RH bill.
Meanwhile, pro-RH bill Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago reacted with Congressman Manny's stand.She opined that it's already written in the Constitution and the move to implement has long been started, although the full-blown program will just be staged this year under the administration of President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III.
The harsh realities of family life in the country inspired several legislators to push through with the bill and for several reasons, this hubber will agree with their synchronized decision.
  • Too many children in meager-income households equals poverty; parents cannot provide sufficient food on more than 5  offspring; much more with education and other basic needs. These children will undertake some roles of their parents in order to survive.
  • Unwanted children due to teenage pregnancies are taken care of at many orphanages. These happened due to unprotected sex as those teenagers will continue to study or focus on other priorities in life.
  • Crimes increase as the need of fathers to provide comfort for their families lead them to commit or succumbed to illegal activities.
  • The government cannot provide adequate jobs to its large population.
This hubber was also alerted by his cousin (don't want to get exposed),  who's working at the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) about the scenario of two opposing forces at the Congress. This is my answer to her invitation to support the RH Bill. Most of them are women, trying to correct the notions of the Catholic church that this will violate God's teaching. My cousin reasoned out that:
  • It's been a fact that condoms, pills and other contraceptives are already existing in the country during the American occupation in the early 19th century. I bet they introduced it in the archipelago.
  • The advocacy on population control started so long ago that many mothers were able to get a thing or two about the birth control methods that are available at the rural health centers and the like.
With the mediation of the Catholic church, it will be another highly contested debate as media mileage started to collate important data between the two factions.
My salute goes to these courageous women in the Congress headed by Rizza Hontiveros-Baraquiel, a former media personality-turned-legislator who is very vocal about the RH Bill.
It's not only an issue among women who get pregnant but to men who should be responsible in taking care of their families.
RH Bill Debate will surely be SEX EDUCATION at the Congress.
 (Note: This is just a part of my hub on HubPages through my account )

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