MANILA, Philippines – Senator Pia Cayetano vowed Sunday to push through with more public hearings this year on the controversial reproductive health (RH) bill even if the measure is not part of the priority legislative agenda of the current Senate leadership.
Cayetano, a member of the 3-person minority bloc in the Upper Chamber, chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, which is overseeing public deliberations on Senate Bill No. 2378 authored by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
“There is a legislative process that must be observed and as Chair of the primary committee that is hearing the RH Bill, it is my duty to take the proposed measure through said process, whether or not it falls under the priorities of the current Senate majority,” she said in a press statement.
“We have already conducted our initial public hearing last year and we intend to set the succeeding hearings early this year,” Cayetano added, referring to the committee’s first public hearing held in October 2010.
During the hearings, resource persons from the so-called “pro-life” and “pro-choice” groups, as well as experts from the medical community, women’s groups, and key government agencies, were invited to air their side on the issue.
“There are many components of the RH bill, including the urgency to address the country’s high maternal death rate and the need to lay down a national policy on family planning,” she added. “The inputs of all stakeholders will be heard during said hearings.”
Cayetano said a “good number” of senators are either openly or discreetly supporting the measure.
“It is premature and pointless to start counting how many senators are for or against the bill when it hasn’t even reached the plenary yet.”
Aside from the RH bill, Cayetano said the health committee will continue its work on other important measures, including on proposals to expand the coverage and benefits of PhilHealth and monitoring government efforts to meet its public health targets under the UN Millennium Development Goals. -abs-cbnNEWS.com
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations against serious violations of Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government
(NUG) of Myanmar.
Reject Military!
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Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
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Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
