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
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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