DOH to defy bishops over condom row

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