Responsible parenthood classes to start with 1,600 young couples

CEBU, Philippines - Amid the controversy on the Reproductive Health Bill, the Cebu City Council passed a resolution binding the memorandum of agreement with the Population Commission for a program on educating selected young couples from all the barangays about responsible parenthood through natural methods.

Around 20 couples each from 80 barangays will be chosen to attend classes on responsible parenthood and natural family planning. The said program is one of the major directives of President Gloria Arroyo for the Department of Health, according to a letter proposal of PopCom signed by its regional director Leo Rama.

The resolution sponsored by Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias is needed to fully enforce the MOA between Rama and Mayor Tomas Osmeña which will be implemented prior to the end of this year.

PopCom is set to transfer P400,000 to Cebu City for the implementation of the program, while the latter will shell out a counterpart of P200,000 for monitoring purposes and further barangay classes.

The main objective of the project is to improve and promote the total wellbeing of the family by encouraging couples of reproductive age to observe birth spacing and practice family planning the natural way as the methods are supported by the Roman Catholic Church.

Responsible parenting is anchored in the 1987 Constitution giving couples the responsibility to decide on their family size in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Natural methods in family planning include periodic abstinence (standard days, calendar, or rhythm methods), withdrawal, and the use of prolonged breastfeeding to inhibit ovulation.  

Fertility awareness-based method is also included wherein a woman would be able to identify those days during each menstrual cycle when intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.

If a woman can identify her potentially fertile days, a couple can use this information to time intercourse - either to avoid or achieve a pregnancy. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)