TAGAYTAY CITY, Philippines – While advocates see it as a viable solution to various burdens facing the country today, an official of the Department of Health (DoH) said the Reproductive Health (RH) bill will not solve poverty woes but will merely allow local government officials to move under a synchronized command in the delivery of healthcare services for Filipino families.
“The RH bill has been purported for so many things as a measure to eliminate poverty in a different way, also as a measure to improve education among the youth, in their sexuality and to improve maternal care in the country. We just want to clarify that this bill cannot stand alone for these goals to be achieved,” said Dr. Eric Tayag, DoH Assistant Secretary and National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director.
Tayag spoke in a media seminar tackling HIV and AIDS issues sponsored by the AIDS Society of the Philippines.
Government officials and the church have been debating over the bill citing its merits and disadvantages. Advocates say the bill, among others, will greatly protect the health of both the mother and the unborn by preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as provide age-appropriate educational awareness to the young.
But opposing groups are not convinced, especially the Catholic Church.
Recently, boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao expressed his strong opposition against the bill in an awkward debate in the House of Representatives.
Tayag said the bill is not an entirely new idea as many of its components are already being done. –JENNY F. MANONGDO, Manila BUlletin
