Approval of RH Bill pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Population-7 stands firm in support for the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill pending at the House of Representatives, saying it is needed to help ease the country’s population problem.

Leo Rama, Popcom-7 director, said that they support the modern family planning program even if it means going against the Catholic church.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines earlier issued a statement urging Filipinos not to vote for supporting anti-family legislation.

The bill, known as the “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008,’’ has been pending for years in the House due to fierce opposition from the Church.

But Rama said that RH bill is good for women, good for couples, and good for the family especially in Cebu is now “demographically overpopulated”.

“Cebuanos prefer more children and to address our population management, urban planning should be improved. If not, we will be a country of malnourished [people]” he said.

The government, he said, has less funds and resources and is duty-bound to provide more services the people.

“[If population grows] Where do you think the government get the funds to build schools?” he said

The coverage of the bill include information and access to natural and modern family planning, maternal, infant and child health and nutrition, promotion of breast feeding, prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications, adolescent and youth health and prevention and management of reproductive tract infections.

He said that to avoid maternal deaths, every city and municipality shall endeavor to employ an adequate number of midwives and other skilled attendants and emergency obstetrics care. — Marjun A. Baguio/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)