MANILA, Philippines – It was condoms on Valentine’s Day, and now it’s contraceptive pills.
Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral clarified yesterday that the government plans to give the contraceptive pills only to interested couples.
“We will be giving out pills, however, we have partners from international aid agencies and local government units to make sure that people are given the proper information as well as access to the services they need,” Cabral said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
Cabral said the government abides by the policy of informed choice and responsible parenthood.
“We leave it to the families to do whatever they want to do and the DOH only facilitates or assists families who wish to do family planning,” she said in the face of strong opposition from the Catholic Church.
Cabral said the Department of Health (DOH) has allocated P2.5 million from funds donated by international organizations to purchase condoms that would be distributed to the public as part of the government’s campaign to curb the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in the country.
“I think it’s the right thing to do in order to promote the health of the people and that is a mandate the DOH has. We are just doing what we are supposed to do,” Cabral said.
Cabral said if the Church has the responsibility to guard the morality of the people, the DOH has the duty to protect the health of the people.
Cabral said the distribution of condoms is just one facet of the government anti-AIDS campaign, which includes promoting abstinence and faithfulness among couples.
Cabral said President Arroyo has not ordered the DOH to stop the anti-AIDS campaign or the distribution of free condoms.
But deputy presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo has admitted calling up Cabral regarding the matter and suggested to her that she check first with the President whether such a campaign should be pursued.
Cabral expressed hope that the DOH and the Church would reach a compromise on the government’s family planning program. – –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) with Helen Flores, Paolo Romero
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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