Family planning group hails new QC policy

A group of family planning advocates hailed the reproductive health ordinance recently passed by the Quezon City local government.

Ben de Leon, president of The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., called the ordinance a “model” that should be followed by other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.

“We hope it will be followed by other LGUs in the metropolis,” De Leon said at a forum, noting that policies on reproductive health have long been devolved to the local government level.

According to De Leon, the ordinance is very important because it would provide regular funding for reproductive health needs in the city.

“Mayor (Feliciano) Belmonte Jr. has been appropriating millions every year for reproductive health. But with the ordinance, every year the LGU would be obligated (to provide funding) even if his (Belmonte’s successor) would have a different stand on the issue,” he added.

De Leon also tried to dispel fears that the ordinance would promote abortion, saying even the concerns of religious groups should also be included in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ordinance.

The Diocese of Cubao has expressed opposition to the ordinance.

De Leon said the IRR should also aim to clarify what constitutes abortion and how it will define natural ways of family planning.

“What is important is that couples are informed that there are different methods of family planning available to them,” he added.

“In my opinion, all forms of contraceptives that are medically safe and legal should be okay under the ordinance,” he said.

De Leon also disagreed with religious groups who have expressed opposition to the plan to include sex education in the curriculum of schools.

“Sex education is very important... Usually they (teenagers) just get (information about sex) from their peers and more often than not, it’s wrong... We shouldn’t be dogmatic about it. Even the teens should be informed about the different methods (of family planning), rather than keep them uninformed about their options,” he said.