GMA backs natural method of birth control

President Arroyo said yesterday that the government will continue to bat for natural family planning methods in controlling the country’s population growth even as it is open to adopt new technologies in family planning.

President Arroyo re-affirmed the government’s adherence to "responsible parenthood" as the constitutional basis of the population management policy of the government which leaves the choice on the use of natural or artificial method of birth control to Filipino couples.

She re-stated this policy in her remarks at the opening of the First Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive Health at the Philippine Trade Training Center.

The conference was organized here by the Philippine Non-Government Organization (NGO) Councils and Population and Health Welfare together with the Department of Health, Commission on Population and the United Nations Population Fund.

In her speech, President Arroyo said the Philippine government will adopt population and reproductive health approaches that respect the Filipino culture and values and respect equality within men and women.

"For these, I call on all government units to support and fund population and reproductive health initiatives. I also encourage all member countries to create a conducive policy environment in support of the population reproductive issues and concerns," she exhorted.

"Let us provide more resources to such initiatives. I will be open to the adoption of new technologies in family planning that are applicable in our particular social context," President Arroyo said.

The Catholic Church in the Philippines and other pro-life advocates favor only the use of natural birth control method. They have been staunchly critical against the previous Ramos administration’s active promotion of the use of artificial birth contraceptives.

President Arroyo, cited, however, that efforts have already been made to develop more pliable natural family planning methods.

"The new policy stresses shared responsibility between men and women to achieve number, spacing and timing of their children," the President stressed.

The Philippines is estimated to have 72 million people with a 2.1 percent population growth rate.

President Arroyo said her three-week old administration intends to make educational programs on family planning "more responsive to modern development trends and requirements" while preserving the religious and cultural values of Filipino couples.