CEBU, Philippines – Various groups across the country have conducted a candle lighting activity to call for the immediate passage of the Reproductive Health Bill.
The activity was simultaneously held in Cebu, Manila, Iloilo City, Davao City, Sultan Kudarat, Aurora, Legazpi City and Ifugao with participants wearing purple neck bands to show their support for the bill.
In Cebu’s activity, the participating groups included Lihok Filipina, Bantay Banay, Cebu City United Vendors Association, Metro Community Advocacy and Barangay Health Workers.
The event’s theme was “Salbaron nato ang kinabuhi sa inahan! Pass RH Bill Now!”
“Saving mother’s lives also saves children’s lives,” said Chi Laigo Vallido of the Advocacy Specialist Forum on Family Planning.
Vallido said that every year, tens of thousands of women and children have died due to lack of access to family planning services.
One of the participants said that they are supporting the bill because it is for the welfare of women and children.
“We want for the RH Bill to be passed now so it can provide family planning services so women can have a choice on what method to use,” said Dr. Ernesto Pernia of UP Diliman School of Economics. — Ana Coritha Desamparado (THE FREEMAN)