RH bill of Palace a poverty-reduction measure

OFFICIALS from Malacañang and the Catholic Church met for the second time on Monday to discuss the responsible parenthood (RP) bill—the Palace’s proposed version of the reproductive health (RH) bill—and agreed to treat it as a poverty-reduction measure of the government.

Meanwhile, a retired Manila bishop also on Monday said that the church only opposes some parts of unconsolidated RH bills while various women’s groups called on President Benigno Aquino 3rd to pay more attention to the plight of many poor women than the prelates.

Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that those who attended the meeting—Health Secretary Enrique Ona, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, Archbishop Paciano Aniceto of San Fernando City (Pampanga), Bishop Gabriel Reyes of Antipolo City (Rizal) and himself, among others—agreed that the RP bill would primarily be a measure to lessen poverty.

According to him, the bill, which Ona will draft, is not intended to set a specified population growth rate.

Lacierda said that both parties also agreed to fully disclose information on all methods of family planning and that the government will not insist on one particular method.

“There is a full range of information to be disclosed to all the people so that an informed decision may be reached,” the spokesman told reporters after the meeting.

During a forum at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) also on Monday, retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. admitted that there are parts of the RH bills that would benefit Filipinos, like maternal healthcare.

The prelate explained that the church is not totally against the measures, but only those parts mentioning the distribution of contraceptives.

He said that using contraceptives such as pills, hormonal injectables and intra-uterine devices are abortifacients.

“They [contraceptives] sometimes prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg into the ovum [and] that is no longer contraception. That is abortion,” Bacani pointed out.

Women from various sectors held a press conference also on Monday to appeal to the President to help pass the RH bills, concerned that he is trying to appease the bishops at their expense.

“We are the ones affected with the absence of contraceptives and other reproductive health services in our health centers, not the men in white robes alleging to know what’s best for us,” they said.

National Chairman Elizabeth Angsioco of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines challenged Mr. Aquino to exert political will on the matter.

“He should not allow a watered-down version of the bill because the ones in Congress go beyond family planning,” she said.

“While it is important, [other provisions like] education and services . . . are equally crucial. And lastly, [he should] certify the bill as urgent,” Angsioco added. –CRIS G. ODRONIA REPORTER WITH REPORTS FROM JOVEE MARIE N. DELA CRUZ AND JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA