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
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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