Reproductive health bill backed

MANILA, Philippines – Enlightened pro-reproductive health Catholics who are leading the campaign for the use of both modern and natural family planning methods are happy over President Benigno C. Aquino’s firm stand on the issue of providing reproductive health services, particularly to the most vulnerable groups in Philippine society.

President Aquino has repeatedly said women from poor families deserve help by making available to them reproductive health services.

In a press conference convened in Quezon City recently by the Forum for Family Planning and Development led by its president, Ben de Leon, the Catholic group thanked President Aquino “for keeping his election promise to make available to couples both modern and natural methods of family planning.”

Family planning methods and services, the group stressed, are acutely needed, especially by poor women, to survive unwanted pregnancies and avoid infant deaths.

The women’s group is especially thankful to the Malacañang support in view of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ open objection to the passage of the Reproductive Health bills that have long been pending in Congress.

Dr. Belen de la Paz, executive director of the Health Action Network and national coordinator of Catholics for Reproductive Health, emphasized the encouragement that President Aquino’s support has brought to her groups.

In a separate statement, she said Malacañang, instead of trying to appease the Catholics and bishops “should work double time” to have the Reproductive Health bill passed by Congress. –Manila Bulletin