MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang reiterated yesterday that it would not stop the condom distribution program of the Department of Health (DOH), saying it is legal and consistent with public policy.
The Palace has reaffirmed its support for the program despite strong opposition from prominent Roman Catholic bishops.
Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral has insisted that the program, which started on Valentine’s Day, is meant solely to check the spread of HIV-AIDS and not to promote sexual promiscuity.
“Based on the requirements of law, it appears that what the Department of Health is doing is aboveboard. That is if we are talking about its mandate to protect public health,” deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said.
“If Secretary Cabral is doing something that is against the law then the President would be the first to say something about this,” Olivar said in Filipino.
“The fact that nothing like that is happening means that it (condom distribution) is legal and consistent with public policy,” he added.
He said groups or individuals opposed to the DOH program would not be prevented from airing their views.
Olivar cited survey results that show voters’ strong preference for candidates who are supportive of the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill.
“If we leave aside religious, moral and ideological issues that come with something like that, it is clear that safe sex or protected sex is always going to be less risky than unsafe sex,” Olivar said.
The RH bill promotes the use of contraceptives as one of the options for family planning. –Marvin Sy (The Philippine Star)
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
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
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