Business groups press for RH law

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s top business groups are pushing for the immediate implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, saying it is necessary for the country to achieve inclusive economic growth.

“We maintain our position that this health measure, which underwent more than 14 years of thorough deliberation and was definitively passed by both chambers of Congress, reflects the true will of the people and is an illustration that democracy prevails in our nation,” read a joint statement prepared by the Employers Confederation
of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

As what they had emphasized in 2010 and 2012 statements, the business groups said they were opposed to abortion and to any measure limiting free choice.

“The RH Law successfully hurdles these concerns. In fact, we strongly believe that the law protects and enhances the people’s constitutionally-enshrined rights to life and good health, freedom of choice and a living wage and income,” the groups said.

The measure’s constitutionality is being challenged before the Supreme Court. The business groups said they remain firm in their stand while waiting for the SC to finally resolve the matter.

“The RH Law, therefore, is a complement to current and proposed initiatives to address long-standing challenges to the country’s development. As such, in our goal to attain sustainable and inclusive growth, the RH Law must be fully and properly implemented without delay,” the groups said.

The groups said supporters of the RH Law should continue publicly pushing for the law’s immediate implementation.

They also urged detractors of the measure to look deeper into its provisions to realize its benefits.

The RH Law seeks to address issues concerning reproductive health, including providing information and access to all methods of family planning as well health care services. President Aquino signed the measure in December 2012.

The SC however, issued a temporary restraining order on the measure as it deliberates on at least 15 petitions contesting the law’s constitutionality. The high court is expected to discuss the measure during its summer session in Baguio on April 8.