Malacañang, apparently defying the country’s influential bishops, on Thursday said that it would allow the Department of Health (DOH) to continue with free distribution of condoms but that the agency could approach the Cabinet if it wanted to reconcile conflicting policies.
The giving away of the condoms gratis came under fire from the influential Roman Catholic Church, which has called for the sacking of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral over the free distribution.
“In my talk with Secretary Cabral when the condom issue first emerged on February 13, I suggested that she raise in a Cabinet meeting the AIDS problem and the DOH [Department of Health] programs to address it,” deputy spokesman Ricardo Saludo said.
“As all department heads know, that is how policy issues are best addressed. As for those blaming the Catholic Church for the spread of AIDS, we leave it to the Church to respond [to that],” he added.
Ironically, Saludo said, the administration will stand by its previous policy on non-propagation of condoms or any form of artificial contraception.
“If they [Department of Health] need guidance, they can always go to the President and the Cabinet just like any officials in the government who may have doubts about compliance with government policy,” he added.
Saludo said that Cabral had clarified that manufacturers and retailers, not the DOH itself, were the ones distributing the condoms for free.
He added that the Church should not be blamed for preaching sex for procreation and low-risk sexual activity.
Saludo said that before HIV/AIDS started spreading in the country, it reached alarming levels in other countries where condom use was strongly promoted.
“Also, condoms may encourage risky sex by making people think that such behavior is made safe by condoms,” he added.
The Catholic Church in the Philippines opposes artificial birth control, including the use of condoms to effect it. –ANGELO S. SAMONTE Reporter, Manila Times
It’s women’s month!
“Support women every day of the year!”
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 #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and Made-in-the-Philippines
Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
Mar 4— Employee Appreciation Day
Mar 15 — World Consumer Rights Day
Mar 18 — Global Recycling Day
Mar 21 — International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 23 — International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Mar 25 — International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Mar 27 — Earth Hour
