MANILA, Philippines – Women’s organizations, HIV/AIDS patients and representatives of non-government organizations will rally in support of embattled Secretary Esperanza Cabral in front of the Department of Health (DOH) office in Manila at 10 a.m. today.
Cabral incurred the ire of Catholic bishops when the DOH distributed free condoms on the eve of Valentine’s Day at the Dangwa flower market in Manila as part of the campaign to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Last week, Cabral also said the DOH would resume providing contraceptive pills to interested couples.
“We are glad that Secretary Cabral and her department remain steadfast in implementing programs that should have been conducted by the government long ago despite the pressures and threats thrown at her by some leaders of the Catholic Church,” the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) said in a statement.
The PLCPD said they will also distribute condoms in today’s rally.
Lipa City Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes demanded Cabral’s resignation for distributing condoms, saying condoms promote sexual promiscuity among the youth.
Government data showed that in 2004, confirmed HIV cases in the country reached 199. The number of cases rose to 629 from 2007 to 2009.
The disease has infected even teenagers as young as 16 years old, young professionals, and medical practitioners.
Cabral said health workers from international aid agencies and local government units will be present during the distribution of contraceptive pills to make sure the recipients receive proper information and access to reproductive health services.
A Malacañang official earlier said President Arroyo will not stop Cabral from distributing contraceptive pills. –Helen Flores (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
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
