Nearly 7 in 10 Pinoys want all family planning methods subsidized

MANILA, Philippines – The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that nearly seven in 10 Filipinos or 68 percent believe the government should subsidize all methods of family planning, whether natural or artificial.

The SWS poll, conducted from June 3 to 6, also showed a little over half of Filipinos who disagreed that the use of pills (52 percent), condoms (51 percent), and intra-uterine devices or IUDs (51 percent) can be considered as abortion.

The survey also found 73 percent of the respondents saying the government should educate the couple on the “legal methods’” of family planning.

A majority or 82 percent of Filipinos believe that family planning is a personal choice and should not be interfered with. Only eight percent disagreed while nine percent were undecided. Approval was up by 21 points from 61 percent in November 1990, the SWS added.

Forty-six percent of Filipinos also disagreed with the view that the inclusion of family planning in the school curriculum would lead to the youth becoming sexually promiscuous and proposals that tax payments be withheld as a means of protesting the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill (39 percent).

The RH bill, now being debated at the House of Representatives, promotes sex education and allows for both natural and artificial means of family planning, among others. The measure is strongly opposed by the Catholic Church and other pro-life groups.

The SWS survey was conducted using 1,200 adults as respondents nationwide.

Meanwhile, Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) Rep. Sherwin Tugna said a recent survey showing that 82 percent of Filipinos favor the RH bill “is almost like the heavens endorsing the measure.’”

Tugna, a lawyer, said the legal maxim “Vox Populi Vox Dei (The voice of the people is the voice of God)’” is applicable in the issue amid the strong campaign by some groups to oppose the bill.

Malacañang said the survey affirms the longstanding position of President Aquino on responsible parenthood. –-Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) with Paolo Romero, Aurea Calica