MANILA, Philippines – Minors won’t be given condoms, intra-uterine devices (IUDs), and other contraceptives even if the reproductive health (RH) bill is enacted into law.
Senate health and demography chair Pia Cayetano, a co-sponsor of the bill, made this assurance on Wednesday in response to questions from Sen. Ralph Recto during continuing debates on the measure.
Recto was concerned that a provision in the bill that grants “universal access” to reproductive healthcare services like contraceptives would include minors.
He also referred to a section mandating reproductive health education from ages 10 to 19.
“My parents never gave me contraceptives,” he said. “Our parents taught us about sex education but definitely did not give us contraceptives.”
Cayetano categorically said contraceptives won’t be given to minors.
She explained, however, that some minors also get pregnant, and would need reproductive healthcare services.
“But as a general rule, I totally agree that hindi tayo mamimigay ng contraceptives sa minors,” she said.
Cayetano clarified that reproductive health services are not limited to contraceptives.
‘Not a contraceptive ice cream truck’
The debate got heated when Recto insisted that the government should not spend billions for enacting a law that will distribute contraceptives, and said that mobile health care service units that the bill provides for will be used to do so.
“It is not a contraceptive ice cream truck!” Cayetano said, explaining that the vehicles will be like clinics delivering various reproductive healthcare services.
“And I am offended actually that we continue to try to create that impression,” she added. “Every time that reproductive health care comes up, the next word is, ‘Nagtutulak tayo ng contraceptives.'”
Cayetano reiterated that the bill will only give women services that will help them plan their families. –Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
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:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
June 6: Migrant Workers Day
June 19: Filipino Youth Day
June 25: Day of the Filipino Seafarer
