Thursday, April 16, 2009
RH advocates ask Palace: What and who is moral?
This is a reaction to The Times “Special Report: The Church and Human Life” article “Mala-cañang’s pro-Life stand mainly a matter of morals” published April 12, 2009, reported by Angelo S. Samonte.
As reproductive health advocates, we cannot help but react to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde’s statement on President Gloria Arroyo’s stance on reproductive health. In that report, Sec. Remonde said that the first and main reason for Pres. Gloria Arroyo’s pro-Life stand on the reproductive health is morals and ethics.
This made us wonder, how could one’s decision be morally and ethically upright if the basis of that decision ignores certain realities and scientific studies and merely to please a small but highly influential group of the Catholic hierarchy?
While we agree that natural family planning method is also effective if used faithfully, we strongly disagree with the promotion of the natural family planning method only. The 2006 Family Planning Survey revealed that 35.6 percent of women aged 15 to 49 are using modern artificial family planning methods while only 15.1 percent is using modern natural and traditional family planning methods. Arroyo government’s natural-family-planning-only program disempowers women and couples to exercise freedom to choose and to make informed decision.
Meanwhile, results of international and local studies have established that natural methods are not for everyone. For example, the standard days-method is effective only for women whose menstrual cycles fall between 26 to 32 days and require the unfailing cooperation by the husband as the couple must abstain from sex for 12 consecutive days during the woman’s fertile period.
RH bill promotes informed choice by making both artificial and traditional methods accessible to all. The couples can freely decide what method they prefer.
Time and again, survey after survey, results are the same—Filipinos wants modern family planning methods education and services.
Pulse Asia Survey conducted in October 2008 revealed that a big majority of Filipinos (82 percent) thinks government should not only educate couples regarding modern methods of family planning but also provide them with services and materials on these methods. Same survey further revealed that 82 percent of Filipinos think government should teach couples about modern methods of family planning.
In addition, exactly the same percentage says that it is the government’s duty to provide the people with knowledge, services and materials on modern methods of family planning.
Earlier, in September 2008, a nationwide survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed an overwhelming support for both family planning education and for passage of the reproductive health bill is very high among both Catholics and non-Catholics, 76 percent even wants to have family planning education for youth.
The results of SWS survey in the cities of Manila and Pa-rañaque conducted in December 2008 and February 2009 respectively showed almost the same result. Sixty four percent of Manileños agree that there should be a law that requires government to distribute condoms, intra-uterine devices and pills to people who want to avail of them. Meanwhile, 86 percent of the respondents said that the city should have a policy on reproductive health and family planning.
These surveys justify the need for government to provide the family planning and reproductive services they need.
We are fully aware that the reproductive health bill can be held hostage during election times that is why we, reproductive health advocates, laud Speaker Prospero Nograles for standing firm in saying that the House Bill 5043 or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2009 remains one of the priority measures in the House of Representatives. He even assured the public, through media interviews, that the Congress will vote on the measure before the session ends in June.
We are also happy with the statement of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile that he will support “artificial methods” of family planning for as long as it will not destroy life.
It is worth mentioning that government offices such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Commission on Population, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education and Department of Science and Technology have openly declared their support on the reproductive health bill.
Groups from various sectors, like national and local NGOs, civic organizations, business, LGUs, faith-based organizations, the academe, youth, opinion leaders, and even international organizations, are continually coming out in the open and bravely expressing their support.
What then is moral and ethical? Who should the government believe? The voice of the majority of the Filipino people who are exposed to the stark realities of life, or the privileged few who refuse to see and acknowledge the conditions in which the many more live?
Despite confusing statements from various Malacañang officials, reproductive health advocates still laud the official position of the President that she will not meddle in the deliberations of the controversial reproductive health bill. We are happy to hear that the President will let her allies make their own decisions. After all, the essence of reproductive health is making informed choice.
Ms. Vigie Benosa-Llorin
Media Advocacy officer, PLCPD
Cell Number 0918-2936786]
Reference: Mr. Ramon San Pascual
Executive Director,
Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation Inc. (PLCPD)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Abortion is NOT a Contraception!
Re: RH Bill
(my comments are based on my readings at http://www.filipinovoices.com/ps-to-hb-5043-%e2%80%93-reproductive-health-bill)
"Shotgun approach has been the design of HB 5043 – it will kill all birds that took flight – adults, adolescents, children – without distinction."
(nielsky_2003@yahoo.com or text to: 09164985265)
I dis-agree! i am against abortion but abortion is not a contraception! i believe parents also has to be RESPONSIBLE, to have only the number of children they can afford to attend to and provide for their needs, so they will have a descent and QUALITY LIFE. Parents should have the option to choose whatever FP methods that is safe and EFFECTIVE for them,because failed FP Method could mean unwanted pregnancy and usually the reason why women would resort to abortion.
Upper Class couples could easilly access to RH/FP Services. Low, to no-definite income families should also have access and be made available to them RH/FP Education & other programs & services by the gov't. so to prevent unwanted pregnancies that will result to abortion.
"It sounds crazy for the bill to claim that women seeking care from post-abortion complications shall be treated and consoled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner without being guilty of doing abortion in the unseen process. This kind of intended access opens the door wide to a lot of other possibilities in need of reproductive health care attention, not to be excluded, would be abortion itself at its initial stage. To give people the freedom to decide, if, when and how often to have a satisfying and safe sex life, as claimed, tears at the very moral fabric of our social existence." (nielsky_2003@yahoo.com or text to: 09164985265)
Prevention of Abortion & Management of Post-Abortion Complication (PMAC)is often mis-understood!
I was able to attend a 5day seminar on PMAC together with other catholic participants. it has a lot of education/counseling component from the moment the woman-patient comes in, bleeding,to the ER,to other dept.till she goes out of the hospital.
The objective really is for the woman to have adequate information on how to PREVENT another unwanted pregnancy by using safe and effective FP Methods natural or artificial, because many of those who had abortions ARE NOT USING any FP method or contraception or FAILED method or
VICTIMS/Survivors of abusive/violent husbands or partners! we really don't know the circumstances, therefore it is not good to pre-judged them...
Reality is! (even if Abortion is not an easy thing to do) there are many women who are into Abortion, not just first-time abortion but REPEATED Abortion! studies will show that majority are married women!
Thus, i believe (as a Catholic and a Medical Social Worker ) the objective of PMAC is to avoid not only first time abortion but also REPEATED ABORTION! (for more personal discussion on the matter you may contact the undersigned)
Frohnie D. Cagalitan
Catholic 4 Reproductive Health - Cebu (C4RH-Cebu)
-------------------------------------------
(my comments are based on my readings at http://www.filipinovoices.com/ps-to-hb-5043-%e2%80%93-reproductive-health-bill)
"Shotgun approach has been the design of HB 5043 – it will kill all birds that took flight – adults, adolescents, children – without distinction."
(nielsky_2003@yahoo.com or text to: 09164985265)
I dis-agree! i am against abortion but abortion is not a contraception! i believe parents also has to be RESPONSIBLE, to have only the number of children they can afford to attend to and provide for their needs, so they will have a descent and QUALITY LIFE. Parents should have the option to choose whatever FP methods that is safe and EFFECTIVE for them,because failed FP Method could mean unwanted pregnancy and usually the reason why women would resort to abortion.
Upper Class couples could easilly access to RH/FP Services. Low, to no-definite income families should also have access and be made available to them RH/FP Education & other programs & services by the gov't. so to prevent unwanted pregnancies that will result to abortion.
"It sounds crazy for the bill to claim that women seeking care from post-abortion complications shall be treated and consoled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner without being guilty of doing abortion in the unseen process. This kind of intended access opens the door wide to a lot of other possibilities in need of reproductive health care attention, not to be excluded, would be abortion itself at its initial stage. To give people the freedom to decide, if, when and how often to have a satisfying and safe sex life, as claimed, tears at the very moral fabric of our social existence." (nielsky_2003@yahoo.com or text to: 09164985265)
Prevention of Abortion & Management of Post-Abortion Complication (PMAC)is often mis-understood!
I was able to attend a 5day seminar on PMAC together with other catholic participants. it has a lot of education/counseling component from the moment the woman-patient comes in, bleeding,to the ER,to other dept.till she goes out of the hospital.
The objective really is for the woman to have adequate information on how to PREVENT another unwanted pregnancy by using safe and effective FP Methods natural or artificial, because many of those who had abortions ARE NOT USING any FP method or contraception or FAILED method or
VICTIMS/Survivors of abusive/violent husbands or partners! we really don't know the circumstances, therefore it is not good to pre-judged them...
Reality is! (even if Abortion is not an easy thing to do) there are many women who are into Abortion, not just first-time abortion but REPEATED Abortion! studies will show that majority are married women!
Thus, i believe (as a Catholic and a Medical Social Worker ) the objective of PMAC is to avoid not only first time abortion but also REPEATED ABORTION! (for more personal discussion on the matter you may contact the undersigned)
Frohnie D. Cagalitan
Catholic 4 Reproductive Health - Cebu (C4RH-Cebu)
-------------------------------------------
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
63% Pinoy favors RH Bill
63% of Pinoys favor RH bill, Pulse Asia survey says
01/19/2009 | 09:43 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Despite the Church's all-out campaign against it, six of 10 Filipinos favor a proposed bill on reproductive health pending at the House of Representatives, according to a survey by Pulse Asia.
Pulse Asia said the survey also showed eight of 10 Filipinos believe government should not only educate couples on family planning but also provide them with services and materials.
"A considerable majority of Filipinos (63 percent), whether aware or unaware of the reproductive health bill, expresses support for the proposed legislation while only 8 percent are not in favor and 29 percent are ambivalent on the matter," it said.
Pulse Asia said majorities ranging from 56 percent in the Visayas to 79 percent in Class ABC are in favor of the bill.
In contrast, it said only 8 percent are not in favor of the bill while 29 percent are unable to say whether or not they support the bill.
"Public ambivalence on the matter is more notable in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Class E (32 percent to 35 percent) than in Class ABC and Metro Manila (13 percent to 21 percent)," it said.
The survey showed most Filipinos are aware of the reproductive health bill pending at the House of Representatives (68 percent) and are in favor of the bill (63 percent).
Awareness of the reproductive health bill being discussed at the House is reported by 68 percent of Filipinos while 32 percent do not know about the bill, Pulse Asia said.
"Across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, majorities (60 percent to 89 percent) know about the proposed legislation with the highest level of public awareness being recorded in the best-off socio-economic Class ABC. In contrast, lack of awareness is most
pronounced in Mindanao and Class E (38 percent and 40 percent, respectively)," it said.
The survey also said that while 49 percent of Filipinos say couples should follow what their religion tells them about family planning, 44 percent are ambivalent on the possibility of their church or religion influencing their vote for a candidate advocating modern family planning methods.
"Big pluralities to sizeable majorities (41 percent to 68 percent) across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings are of the view that couples should follow the dictates of their religion when it comes to the issue of family planning," it said.
This sentiment is most manifest in the Visayas and least pronounced in the rest of Luzon, it said.
On the other hand, around the same percentages of Filipinos are either ambivalent on the matter or do not agree that couples are obliged to abide by the teachings of their religion on family planning (27 percent versus 23 percent).
As for the impact of their church or religion on their decision as to whether or not to vote for a candidate supporting modern family planning methods, indecision is the predominant public sentiment at the national level (44 percent) and particularly in the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and Classes D and E (42 percent to 52 percent), Pulse Asia said.
"In contrast, 34 percent of Filipinos say there is a big possibility their vote would be influenced by their church or religion while 21 percent express a contrary opinion," it said.
In Metro Manila, a big plurality (41 percent) says there is a big possibility of their church or religion influencing their vote while in Mindanao and Class ABC, nearly the same percentages either share the same sentiment or are undecided on the matter (36 percent to 39 percent versus 38 percent to 41 percent).
The survey also showed a big majority of Filipinos, or eight of 10 Filipinos (82 percent), thinks government should not only educate couples regarding modern methods of family planning but also provide them with services and materials on these methods.
"Most Filipinos (82 percent) think government should teach couples about modern methods of family planning (i.e., both natural and artificial methods) – a view articulated by big to overwhelming majorities (76 percent to 91 percent) in all geographic areas and socio economic classes," it said.
Also, it said exactly the same percentage says that it is the government's duty to provide the people with knowledge, services, and materials on modern methods of family planning.
This sentiment is expressed by 78 percent to 87 percent across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, Pulse Asia said.
On the other hand, less than one in ten Filipinos (6 percent to 8 percent) disagrees with either view while indecision on these matters is expressed by 10 percent to 13 percent of Filipinos.
The survey also said about four in ten Filipinos (44 percent) say the government should pass a law specifying the number of children couples may have.
On the matter of whether or not government should pass a law dictating the number of children a couple may have, 44 percent of Filipinos support such government action while 36 percent are not inclined to do the same.
Almost one in five Filipinos (19 percent) are undecided on the matter.
Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, big pluralities to small majorities (45 percent to 58 percent) in Metro Manila, the Visayas, Mindanao, and Classes D and E favor the idea of government passing a law on the number of children couples may have.
In contrast, a near majority (47 percent) of those in the rest of Luzon do not think government should pass such a law while in the poorest Class E, almost the same percentages express either agreement or disagreement (42 percent versus 40 percent) with this proposal.
The survey said almost all Filipinos consider it important for one to have the ability to plan the family for the welfare of both the family (93 percent) and the country (90 percent).
"Overwhelming majorities across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes (84 percent to 99 percent) say it is important for couples to have the ability to plan their families for the sake of the family and the country as a whole," it said.
Less than one in 10 Filipinos (6 percent to 9 percent) are ambivalent on the matter and practically none consider this to be unimportant.
The survey was based on a multistage probability sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above, and has a +/- 3 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.
Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a +/- 6 percent error margin, also at 95 percent confidence level.
Face-to-face field interviews for this project were conducted from October 14 to 27, 2008.
While the field interviews for this survey were being done, major developments during this period included the financial crisis in the United States that soon spilled over into other parts of the world including the Philippines, the American presidential elections, the filing of a new impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Supreme Court decision on the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), and the controversial trip to Russia of several police officials that involved a "contingency fund" of P6.9M.
Other issues included the deportation from the US of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante who is widely believed to be the brains behind the fertilizer fund scam, the decline in the price of oil at the world market, the impending increase in the electricity charges of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and the food scare in China and other parts of the world over the discovery of melamine, an industrial chemical, in milk and other food products. - GMANews.TV
01/19/2009 | 09:43 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Despite the Church's all-out campaign against it, six of 10 Filipinos favor a proposed bill on reproductive health pending at the House of Representatives, according to a survey by Pulse Asia.
Pulse Asia said the survey also showed eight of 10 Filipinos believe government should not only educate couples on family planning but also provide them with services and materials.
"A considerable majority of Filipinos (63 percent), whether aware or unaware of the reproductive health bill, expresses support for the proposed legislation while only 8 percent are not in favor and 29 percent are ambivalent on the matter," it said.
Pulse Asia said majorities ranging from 56 percent in the Visayas to 79 percent in Class ABC are in favor of the bill.
In contrast, it said only 8 percent are not in favor of the bill while 29 percent are unable to say whether or not they support the bill.
"Public ambivalence on the matter is more notable in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Class E (32 percent to 35 percent) than in Class ABC and Metro Manila (13 percent to 21 percent)," it said.
The survey showed most Filipinos are aware of the reproductive health bill pending at the House of Representatives (68 percent) and are in favor of the bill (63 percent).
Awareness of the reproductive health bill being discussed at the House is reported by 68 percent of Filipinos while 32 percent do not know about the bill, Pulse Asia said.
"Across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, majorities (60 percent to 89 percent) know about the proposed legislation with the highest level of public awareness being recorded in the best-off socio-economic Class ABC. In contrast, lack of awareness is most
pronounced in Mindanao and Class E (38 percent and 40 percent, respectively)," it said.
The survey also said that while 49 percent of Filipinos say couples should follow what their religion tells them about family planning, 44 percent are ambivalent on the possibility of their church or religion influencing their vote for a candidate advocating modern family planning methods.
"Big pluralities to sizeable majorities (41 percent to 68 percent) across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings are of the view that couples should follow the dictates of their religion when it comes to the issue of family planning," it said.
This sentiment is most manifest in the Visayas and least pronounced in the rest of Luzon, it said.
On the other hand, around the same percentages of Filipinos are either ambivalent on the matter or do not agree that couples are obliged to abide by the teachings of their religion on family planning (27 percent versus 23 percent).
As for the impact of their church or religion on their decision as to whether or not to vote for a candidate supporting modern family planning methods, indecision is the predominant public sentiment at the national level (44 percent) and particularly in the rest of Luzon, the Visayas, and Classes D and E (42 percent to 52 percent), Pulse Asia said.
"In contrast, 34 percent of Filipinos say there is a big possibility their vote would be influenced by their church or religion while 21 percent express a contrary opinion," it said.
In Metro Manila, a big plurality (41 percent) says there is a big possibility of their church or religion influencing their vote while in Mindanao and Class ABC, nearly the same percentages either share the same sentiment or are undecided on the matter (36 percent to 39 percent versus 38 percent to 41 percent).
The survey also showed a big majority of Filipinos, or eight of 10 Filipinos (82 percent), thinks government should not only educate couples regarding modern methods of family planning but also provide them with services and materials on these methods.
"Most Filipinos (82 percent) think government should teach couples about modern methods of family planning (i.e., both natural and artificial methods) – a view articulated by big to overwhelming majorities (76 percent to 91 percent) in all geographic areas and socio economic classes," it said.
Also, it said exactly the same percentage says that it is the government's duty to provide the people with knowledge, services, and materials on modern methods of family planning.
This sentiment is expressed by 78 percent to 87 percent across all geographic areas and socio-economic groupings, Pulse Asia said.
On the other hand, less than one in ten Filipinos (6 percent to 8 percent) disagrees with either view while indecision on these matters is expressed by 10 percent to 13 percent of Filipinos.
The survey also said about four in ten Filipinos (44 percent) say the government should pass a law specifying the number of children couples may have.
On the matter of whether or not government should pass a law dictating the number of children a couple may have, 44 percent of Filipinos support such government action while 36 percent are not inclined to do the same.
Almost one in five Filipinos (19 percent) are undecided on the matter.
Across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, big pluralities to small majorities (45 percent to 58 percent) in Metro Manila, the Visayas, Mindanao, and Classes D and E favor the idea of government passing a law on the number of children couples may have.
In contrast, a near majority (47 percent) of those in the rest of Luzon do not think government should pass such a law while in the poorest Class E, almost the same percentages express either agreement or disagreement (42 percent versus 40 percent) with this proposal.
The survey said almost all Filipinos consider it important for one to have the ability to plan the family for the welfare of both the family (93 percent) and the country (90 percent).
"Overwhelming majorities across all geographic areas and socio-economic classes (84 percent to 99 percent) say it is important for couples to have the ability to plan their families for the sake of the family and the country as a whole," it said.
Less than one in 10 Filipinos (6 percent to 9 percent) are ambivalent on the matter and practically none consider this to be unimportant.
The survey was based on a multistage probability sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above, and has a +/- 3 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level.
Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the survey (Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a +/- 6 percent error margin, also at 95 percent confidence level.
Face-to-face field interviews for this project were conducted from October 14 to 27, 2008.
While the field interviews for this survey were being done, major developments during this period included the financial crisis in the United States that soon spilled over into other parts of the world including the Philippines, the American presidential elections, the filing of a new impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Supreme Court decision on the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD), and the controversial trip to Russia of several police officials that involved a "contingency fund" of P6.9M.
Other issues included the deportation from the US of former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante who is widely believed to be the brains behind the fertilizer fund scam, the decline in the price of oil at the world market, the impending increase in the electricity charges of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and the food scare in China and other parts of the world over the discovery of melamine, an industrial chemical, in milk and other food products. - GMANews.TV
Free No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy
For the first time in the Philippines, NSV International, Inc. USA, has conducted a "No Needle No Scalpel " Vasectomy in Negros in coordination with the Bisaya Medical Association in America. Based on request, will conduct also in Cebu City at SWU - Sacred Heart Hospital on Jan. 29, 2009 and in Hilongos Leyte at the Rural Health Center on Jan 30. before going back to the U.S.
The "No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy" will be performed by Dr. Ramon U. Suarez ,MD.,F.A.C.S. Diplomate, American Board of Urology.He is an expert on NSV and has performed NSV's here and abroad, to workers, laborers and professionals. He himself and the Founders of NSV International have had vasectomy, so with their family members and relatives here and abroad.
No Scalpel Vasectomy is a permanent method and is intended for men who don't intend to have additional children anymore. It is a modern technique which is safe, simple, quick (15 min.ave.) and doesn't entail incision, no suture, just BAND-AID! and lately NO NEEDLE !
With our economic condition and many families are living in extreme poverty, parents has to be RESPONSIBLE also in planning their family. If Natural Family Planning Method is not effective for them or difficult to count/monitor menstrual cycle or forgets to take the pills or it's costly to always buy condoms, pills,etc till the wife reach age 50... NSV is a good option! it's a one time procedure but lifetime effect.
NSV orientation & counseling will be conducted before the NSV procedure. For reservation more information, please contact: Mrs.Myrna Danuco of the RH Clinic Tel. 4188980 or Mrs.Frohnie D. Cagalitan of Pro Quality Life Training & Dev't. Inc. (Q-Life) Tel.-032- 2590989 or 0927-5719399
The "No Needle No Scalpel Vasectomy" will be performed by Dr. Ramon U. Suarez ,MD.,F.A.C.S. Diplomate, American Board of Urology.He is an expert on NSV and has performed NSV's here and abroad, to workers, laborers and professionals. He himself and the Founders of NSV International have had vasectomy, so with their family members and relatives here and abroad.
No Scalpel Vasectomy is a permanent method and is intended for men who don't intend to have additional children anymore. It is a modern technique which is safe, simple, quick (15 min.ave.) and doesn't entail incision, no suture, just BAND-AID! and lately NO NEEDLE !
With our economic condition and many families are living in extreme poverty, parents has to be RESPONSIBLE also in planning their family. If Natural Family Planning Method is not effective for them or difficult to count/monitor menstrual cycle or forgets to take the pills or it's costly to always buy condoms, pills,etc till the wife reach age 50... NSV is a good option! it's a one time procedure but lifetime effect.
NSV orientation & counseling will be conducted before the NSV procedure. For reservation more information, please contact: Mrs.Myrna Danuco of the RH Clinic Tel. 4188980 or Mrs.Frohnie D. Cagalitan of Pro Quality Life Training & Dev't. Inc. (Q-Life) Tel.-032- 2590989 or 0927-5719399
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
QUALITY should determine QUANTITY
By Rina Jimenez-David
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:53:00 12/10/2008
Last Monday, Oscar Lopez, chairman of the Lopez group of companies, was conferred the title of "Eminent Person" among the board of the Forum for Family Planning and Development.
Lopez is the fifth such "eminent person" on the Forum's board, after former President Fidel V. Ramos, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, businessman and philanthropist Washington SyCip, and internationally renowned demographer Mercedes Concepcion. The Forum is an NGO devoted to advocacy for family planning, particularly in influencing policy-shaping on this issue.
In his remarks, Lopez declared that "even as we are gathered here today, there are many serious challenges being faced by our movement," citing the "well-organized challenge" mounted by religious groups against the pending bill on reproductive health, among others.
The Lopez group chairman also noted that "it is not enough to just depend on government to accomplish the ideal population growth rate."
The private sector also has an important role to play, he said, adding that within the Lopez group they "promote family planning ... [and are] starting to show some progress in this regard and our effort is positively received by our employees as a sign of management's regard for their welfare."
Citing surveys that show public opinion support for reproductive health programs, particularly family planning, Lopez urged his audience to "do everything in our power to make sure that (the people) get what they want and need to have the family size they can properly provide for."
* * *
Indeed, as former president Fidel Ramos said in his "words of inspiration" that afternoon, "the changing but fundamental reality of today's world is that it is quality that determines quantity.
If this nation is to be developed and modernized, Filipino families must all endeavor to produce and nurture quality children and not incapable humans who become burdens to themselves and to society."
At the individual, family and national levels, family planning makes sense, and this is a fact already obvious to and embraced by the majority of Filipinos. But some of our political and religious leaders seem oblivious to reality and instead choose to impose their own sense of morality and judgment on others.
Groups like the Forum have their work cut out for them to make such folks wake up and smell the consequences of overpopulation.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:53:00 12/10/2008
Last Monday, Oscar Lopez, chairman of the Lopez group of companies, was conferred the title of "Eminent Person" among the board of the Forum for Family Planning and Development.
Lopez is the fifth such "eminent person" on the Forum's board, after former President Fidel V. Ramos, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata, businessman and philanthropist Washington SyCip, and internationally renowned demographer Mercedes Concepcion. The Forum is an NGO devoted to advocacy for family planning, particularly in influencing policy-shaping on this issue.
In his remarks, Lopez declared that "even as we are gathered here today, there are many serious challenges being faced by our movement," citing the "well-organized challenge" mounted by religious groups against the pending bill on reproductive health, among others.
The Lopez group chairman also noted that "it is not enough to just depend on government to accomplish the ideal population growth rate."
The private sector also has an important role to play, he said, adding that within the Lopez group they "promote family planning ... [and are] starting to show some progress in this regard and our effort is positively received by our employees as a sign of management's regard for their welfare."
Citing surveys that show public opinion support for reproductive health programs, particularly family planning, Lopez urged his audience to "do everything in our power to make sure that (the people) get what they want and need to have the family size they can properly provide for."
* * *
Indeed, as former president Fidel Ramos said in his "words of inspiration" that afternoon, "the changing but fundamental reality of today's world is that it is quality that determines quantity.
If this nation is to be developed and modernized, Filipino families must all endeavor to produce and nurture quality children and not incapable humans who become burdens to themselves and to society."
At the individual, family and national levels, family planning makes sense, and this is a fact already obvious to and embraced by the majority of Filipinos. But some of our political and religious leaders seem oblivious to reality and instead choose to impose their own sense of morality and judgment on others.
Groups like the Forum have their work cut out for them to make such folks wake up and smell the consequences of overpopulation.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Lea Salonga, Liza Macuja support RH Bill
Lea Salonga, Lisa Macuja support RH bill; Bands to rock 'House'
BY MARK MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV
12/09/2008 | 04:43 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The controversial Reproductive Health Bill has found new allies in influential Filipino artists like Broadway superstar Lea Salonga and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, and has even mobilized a number of musical acts into participating at a free concert to be held on Tuesday.
Salonga and Macuja were among the latest addition to a growing list of backers of the RH Bill, a measure being pushed by more than 100 lawmakers at the House of Representatives with the aim of providing poor families access to basic health information and addressing serious health problems on reproduction.
“Personally, I support [the RH Bill] and I’m sincerely hoping that it is passed because it will allow many of our countrymen, especially women, to have access to information that most of us already have access to," Salonga said in a taped message shown at a recent forum promoting the proposed reproductive health law.
Salonga, who is currently touring the United States , expressed confidence that the highly-contested measure, with its wide-ranging coverage, would be able to address the ills plaguing not only expecting mothers but also the youth.
“It’s a whole gamut of issues that this bill covers regarding family planning, spacing of our children, as well as other health issues such as STD [sexually transmitted disease] prevention, AIDS prevention. And I hope this will allow for a healthy and active discussions among all of you," said the 37-year-old Tony Award winner.
The bill had been receiving blows from pro-life supporters – the Catholic Church being the most vocal of them – who claimed passage of the bill would only promote abortion and promiscuity among teenagers.
In contrast to the Church, a recent survey conducted by polling firm Social Weather Station showed that most Filipinos, including Catholics, believe that there should be a reproductive health law and that the government should step in in ensuring that Filipinos are armed with basic knowledge on sexual education and contraception.
“I am a church-going Catholic, a wife, a mother of three beautiful children. And I believe that every woman should have the right to choose between wanted and unwanted pregnancies for her future," Macuja said.
“And the future of the children that she really wishes to have [can be achieved] thanks to the Reproductive Health," the highly-acclaimed ballerina said in another taped interview shown in the forum.
Even before Salonga and Macuja chipped in their support, backers of the RH Bill have already tagged along for their cause a number of priests from the Ateneo de Manila University; a support group for AIDS – The Girls, Women and HIV and AIDS Network; and even several Cabinet officials including Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
Rock the ‘House’
Further soliciting support from the music and arts industry, the Forum on Family Planning and Development Inc would be gathering more than 20 artists and bands for a one-night only, free concert at the Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 6 p.m. of Tuesday.
“Together, let us rock the house… the House of the Representatives that is," declared Benjamin de Leon, the Forum president.
Peryodiko vocalist Vin Dancel, who will be performing at the free concert, said the best way that artists like him could support and promote the RH Bill is through their music.
“As artists, we enjoy a privileged position when we go up on stage and go up the microphone, wala silang choice kundi makinig. Were taking that opportunity to talk about this very important piece of legislation," Dancel said.
He said that they have even been promoting the bill through their mailing list over the Internet, encouraging their members to read the entire text of the measure before casting judgment on it.
Dancel, who also spoke at the forum, said the arguments hurled against the RH Bill were merely focused on its provision on artificial forms of contraception, when in fact the bill has a much broader scope.
“Dapat hindi nalilimitahan ang usapin ng RH sa sex at contraceptives dahil malawaka ang saklaw ng bill na ito and to limit the arguments to sex ay parang hindi dapat siya karapat dapat. Filipinos deserve so much more," said Dancel, a father of a seven-year-old boy.
Aside from natural and artificial forms of family planning, the bill also tackles other reproductive health issues like abortion, maternal deaths, child nutrition, reproductive system-related infections, RH awareness among the youth through sex education, and even violence against women.
For her part, Katwo Puertollano – vocalist of Duster, another band performing at the RH Bill concert - said during the forum that it was important for people to understand that the RH Bill is more a personal issue than a political or religious one.
“I’ve witnessed it destroy and change lives. Do we let this happen? Do the current rules that we have suffice? I don’t think so," Puertollano said.
She said that as a democratic and free society, the Filipinos should voice out their support for a measure which, she said, was only meant to protect lives and help address the chronic social ills like poverty.
“I urge everyone to support and to really go beyond the political and religious stigmas. We are in a position to be able to prevent more deaths and poverty," she said.
Among the musical acts slated to rock the night are Sandwich , Itchyworms, Lolita, Carbon, Sugarfree, Noel Cabangon, Imago, Chikoy Pura, Scarlet, Pedicab, Susan Fernandez, Cambio, Bob and Anya, Zoneone, Wandering Dw, FMD, and Jeepney Joyride.
No dialogue?
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has recently issued a statement stressing the religious body’s opposition to the current version of the bill, further citing major “flaws" that could pose threats to the lives of a pregnant woman and the baby she is conceiving.
But as a compromise, the CBCP had also said they are willing to throw their support for the RH Bill only if its proponents would strike off or modify some of its provisions. The CBCP said it was willing to raise their points of revision in a dialogue with the bill’s authors.
In response, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the bill’s primary author, said he was open to such a dialogue but doubted the CBCP’s seriousness in its call to sit with the RH Bill proponents.
In a separate interview with GMANews.TV, De Leon seconded Lagman’s sentiments and said based on the Church’s recent moves, he doubted whether such dialogue would ever take form.
“Ang tagal na noon nung ginawa nila ang offer na iyon, pero ayon sa aking nalalaman, hanggang ngayon wala pa kaming naririnig sa kanila (It’s been a long time since they offered to have a dialogue but we have yet to hear from them)," De Leon said.
He said if the Church really plans to dialogue with them, it should do so immediately so that the bill could pass the House even before lawmakers go into a Christmas break next week.
Vincent Jurlano, program officer of the United Nations Family Planning Authority, also stressed during the forum the urgency of passing the bill before the year ends.
“Dapat ipasa na nila sa House, para mapaghandaan na din ang susunod na stage, sa Senado (The bill should be passed at the House so it could proceed to the Senate)," Jurlano said.-
Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
BY MARK MERUEÑAS, GMANews.TV
12/09/2008 | 04:43 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The controversial Reproductive Health Bill has found new allies in influential Filipino artists like Broadway superstar Lea Salonga and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, and has even mobilized a number of musical acts into participating at a free concert to be held on Tuesday.
Salonga and Macuja were among the latest addition to a growing list of backers of the RH Bill, a measure being pushed by more than 100 lawmakers at the House of Representatives with the aim of providing poor families access to basic health information and addressing serious health problems on reproduction.
“Personally, I support [the RH Bill] and I’m sincerely hoping that it is passed because it will allow many of our countrymen, especially women, to have access to information that most of us already have access to," Salonga said in a taped message shown at a recent forum promoting the proposed reproductive health law.
Salonga, who is currently touring the United States , expressed confidence that the highly-contested measure, with its wide-ranging coverage, would be able to address the ills plaguing not only expecting mothers but also the youth.
“It’s a whole gamut of issues that this bill covers regarding family planning, spacing of our children, as well as other health issues such as STD [sexually transmitted disease] prevention, AIDS prevention. And I hope this will allow for a healthy and active discussions among all of you," said the 37-year-old Tony Award winner.
The bill had been receiving blows from pro-life supporters – the Catholic Church being the most vocal of them – who claimed passage of the bill would only promote abortion and promiscuity among teenagers.
In contrast to the Church, a recent survey conducted by polling firm Social Weather Station showed that most Filipinos, including Catholics, believe that there should be a reproductive health law and that the government should step in in ensuring that Filipinos are armed with basic knowledge on sexual education and contraception.
“I am a church-going Catholic, a wife, a mother of three beautiful children. And I believe that every woman should have the right to choose between wanted and unwanted pregnancies for her future," Macuja said.
“And the future of the children that she really wishes to have [can be achieved] thanks to the Reproductive Health," the highly-acclaimed ballerina said in another taped interview shown in the forum.
Even before Salonga and Macuja chipped in their support, backers of the RH Bill have already tagged along for their cause a number of priests from the Ateneo de Manila University; a support group for AIDS – The Girls, Women and HIV and AIDS Network; and even several Cabinet officials including Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral.
Rock the ‘House’
Further soliciting support from the music and arts industry, the Forum on Family Planning and Development Inc would be gathering more than 20 artists and bands for a one-night only, free concert at the Liwasang Aurora at the Quezon Memorial Circle at 6 p.m. of Tuesday.
“Together, let us rock the house… the House of the Representatives that is," declared Benjamin de Leon, the Forum president.
Peryodiko vocalist Vin Dancel, who will be performing at the free concert, said the best way that artists like him could support and promote the RH Bill is through their music.
“As artists, we enjoy a privileged position when we go up on stage and go up the microphone, wala silang choice kundi makinig. Were taking that opportunity to talk about this very important piece of legislation," Dancel said.
He said that they have even been promoting the bill through their mailing list over the Internet, encouraging their members to read the entire text of the measure before casting judgment on it.
Dancel, who also spoke at the forum, said the arguments hurled against the RH Bill were merely focused on its provision on artificial forms of contraception, when in fact the bill has a much broader scope.
“Dapat hindi nalilimitahan ang usapin ng RH sa sex at contraceptives dahil malawaka ang saklaw ng bill na ito and to limit the arguments to sex ay parang hindi dapat siya karapat dapat. Filipinos deserve so much more," said Dancel, a father of a seven-year-old boy.
Aside from natural and artificial forms of family planning, the bill also tackles other reproductive health issues like abortion, maternal deaths, child nutrition, reproductive system-related infections, RH awareness among the youth through sex education, and even violence against women.
For her part, Katwo Puertollano – vocalist of Duster, another band performing at the RH Bill concert - said during the forum that it was important for people to understand that the RH Bill is more a personal issue than a political or religious one.
“I’ve witnessed it destroy and change lives. Do we let this happen? Do the current rules that we have suffice? I don’t think so," Puertollano said.
She said that as a democratic and free society, the Filipinos should voice out their support for a measure which, she said, was only meant to protect lives and help address the chronic social ills like poverty.
“I urge everyone to support and to really go beyond the political and religious stigmas. We are in a position to be able to prevent more deaths and poverty," she said.
Among the musical acts slated to rock the night are Sandwich , Itchyworms, Lolita, Carbon, Sugarfree, Noel Cabangon, Imago, Chikoy Pura, Scarlet, Pedicab, Susan Fernandez, Cambio, Bob and Anya, Zoneone, Wandering Dw, FMD, and Jeepney Joyride.
No dialogue?
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has recently issued a statement stressing the religious body’s opposition to the current version of the bill, further citing major “flaws" that could pose threats to the lives of a pregnant woman and the baby she is conceiving.
But as a compromise, the CBCP had also said they are willing to throw their support for the RH Bill only if its proponents would strike off or modify some of its provisions. The CBCP said it was willing to raise their points of revision in a dialogue with the bill’s authors.
In response, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the bill’s primary author, said he was open to such a dialogue but doubted the CBCP’s seriousness in its call to sit with the RH Bill proponents.
In a separate interview with GMANews.TV, De Leon seconded Lagman’s sentiments and said based on the Church’s recent moves, he doubted whether such dialogue would ever take form.
“Ang tagal na noon nung ginawa nila ang offer na iyon, pero ayon sa aking nalalaman, hanggang ngayon wala pa kaming naririnig sa kanila (It’s been a long time since they offered to have a dialogue but we have yet to hear from them)," De Leon said.
He said if the Church really plans to dialogue with them, it should do so immediately so that the bill could pass the House even before lawmakers go into a Christmas break next week.
Vincent Jurlano, program officer of the United Nations Family Planning Authority, also stressed during the forum the urgency of passing the bill before the year ends.
“Dapat ipasa na nila sa House, para mapaghandaan na din ang susunod na stage, sa Senado (The bill should be passed at the House so it could proceed to the Senate)," Jurlano said.-
Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV
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