Boholanons back Reproductive Health Bill

MANILA, Philippines – More Filipinos are supporting the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) said.

Citing a survey done by the Holy Name University in Bohol, the SWS said majority or 53 percent of Boholanons favor the bill while 17 percent are against it, for a net rating of +36.

The survey was conducted last April 17 to May 13, using face-to-face interviews with 400 adults.

The survey found that 46 percent of the respondents agree that there is a population growth problem in Bohol and that this increases poverty incidence (54 percent) and worsens environmental degradation (43 percent).

Eighty-four percent of the respondents agree that students aged 15 to 24 should be given adolescent health education in school as well as family planning information and services (75 percent).

Fifty-seven percent disagree that the use of condom, IUD (55 percent) and pills (55 percent) is considered as means of abortion.

Forty-eight percent believe that the Church interferes in the government program on reproductive health, the survey showed.

House Bill 5043, or the proposed Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood, and Population Development Act of 2008, makes artificial contraceptives more accessible to the public through health programs and calls for sex education in schools, among others.

The Catholic Church, which counts over 80 percent of Filipinos as followers, has said the bill, which has been pending in Congress for months, is headed for defeat after a high-profile campaign by the bishops.

But Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the main authors of the bill, said there are now 130 congressmen who are supporting the measure.

Lagman said 24 more lawmakers have pledged to vote for the RH Bill “despite their being not overt signatories.”

The country’s population now stands at around 90 million, with an annual growth rate of 2.04 percent, one of the highest in Asia and above the government’s target of 1.9 percent. –Helen Flores, Philippine Star