SWS survey shows Cebuanos favor Reproductive Health Bill

Most Cebuanos favor the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill with majority also supporting the use of some birth control measures, results of a new survey revealed. The poll conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in Cebu indicated that 78 percent of “men and women of reproductive age” are in favor of the RH Bill.

The RH Bill, or House Bill No. 5043, seeks to provide for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthoods and population development.

It was, however, opposed by some sectors especially church groups due to some of its provisions that are allegedly anti-life for encouraging the use of certain population control measures.

Nevertheless, according to the SWS, “half of the Cebuanos surveyed in July disagree that the use of intrauterine devices or IUDs [52 percent], condoms [51 percent], and pills [50 percent] can be considered as abortion.”

The survey also showed that Cebuanos agree that 15 to 24 years old students should be given adolescent health education in school (87 percent) and be given family planning information and services (84 percent).

About 73 percent, meanwhile, agree that there must be a law that requires government to distribute condoms, IUD and pills to people who want to avail of them.

Some 85 percent concur that there must be a law that requires the government to teach family planning to the youth.

According to the SWS, the strong support of Cebuanos for the Reproductive Health Bill is similar to opinions of men and women of reproductive age in a December 2008 survey in Manila City, a February 2009 survey in Parañaque City, and a May 2009 survey in Bohol Province.

The SWS July 2009 Cebu Survey on the RH Bill was conducted from July 2 to 5, 2009, using face-to-face interviews of 100 persons of reproductive age each from Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Cebu Province and District 2 of Cebu City.

For the purpose of this survey, persons of reproductive age are those men who are 15 to 54 years old and women who are 15 to 49 years old.

The survey has an error margin of plus or minus four percent overall and plus or minus 10 percent in the district/city level.

SWS said the survey was commissioned by the Forum for Family Planning and Development, a group that aims to be the “leading voice in the adoption of a national policy on population management, health and family welfare and in the provision of universal access to information and service for all Filipinos especially the poor and the youth.” –Manila Times