Business World Vol. XXII, No. 181
Friday, April 17, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The Nation

PHILIPPINE SENATE STARTS PLENARY DEBATES ON POPULATION MEASURE

THE SENATE started to tackle a controversial population control bill called reproductive health on Wednesday amid continuing objections by the Catholic Church.
With provisions similar to that of the House counterpart bill that is a few votes shy of being endorsed by a majority of congressmen, the Senate version is targeted to be approved before Congress adjourns its second regular session on June 5, Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said Wednesday evening.

The committee on health and demography recommended the approval of Senate Bill 3122, a measure that consolidated five proposals, to improve the quality of life of Filipinos.

"A genuine reproductive health policy will ensure that no woman will have to face a horrific situation in which she will have to choose between her life and her child’s. Promoting family planning practice along with making sure that all Filipino families will have access to all acceptable family planning methods will reduce unintended pregnancies," said Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon, principal sponsor of the "Reproductive Health Care Act of 2009."

He said modern family planning methods such as hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices and injectables will be made available in government hospitals and classified as so-called essential medicine.

The bill would require local government units to deploy a minimum of one full-time skilled birth attendant for every 150 deliveries per year, while each province and city will have a hospital equipped with emergency obstetric care supplies and services.

An annual maternal death review would monitor death rates. Sexuality education would be taught by teachers to fifth grade and high school students. Barangay health workers will also undergo training to promote reproductive health.

"This bill does not encourage nor promote abortion. It does not impose a national policy on the freedom of couples to make choices," Mr. Biazon said. "This bill is about providing informed choice through an education and information program. It is about making available reproductive health care services and supplies to our people, especially to those who need it most."

He said adopting a reproductive health policy would minimize rapid population growth which "impedes economic growth."

Although the June 5 target approval for the bill has been set, Mr. Zubiri said he was noncommittal if majority of his colleagues would favor the "controversial" proposal.

"It’s a very important measure that needs to be discussed lengthily and with clarity. It’s a very controversial measure. We will take it up everyday," said Mr. Zubiri in an interview.

"I want to strengthen the portion that abortion should not be allowed. It’s an illegal act," he added.

The counterpart measure, House Bill 5043 authored by Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman (1st district), is up for approval on second reading. It was identified as one of the chamber’s priority bills. — Bernard U. Allauigan