Position paper in support of the reproductive health care

The Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare Inc. (PNGOC) a national umbrella organization with 95 member NGOs involved in the promotion of reproductive health care such as maternal and child health, family planning, men’s reproductive health, women empowerment, STI/HIV/AIDS, sexuality education, and gender and development calls for the enactment of a law on reproductive health. PNGOC boldly supports the passage of the bill filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago entitled “An act providing for a national policy on reproductive health and population and development.”

Filipinos want an RH law

Various surveys have been done to realize the sentiments of Filipinos, including Catholics and showed that majority of Filipinos are supporting the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill into law.

Pulse Asia found that 68 percent of Filipinos expressed support for the proposed legislation on reproductive health and a survey conducted by the Social Weather System (SWS) from Dec. 27 to 29, 2008 showed that 86 percent of Manila residents are for the RH Bill. The survey also revealed an overwhelming 92 percent in favor of an adolescent health education for students aged 15 to 24.

PNGOC believes that we need a solid bill to help our constituents especially women and girls to have a brighter tomorrow. Once the RH bill has been passed, we believe that this legislated policy can provide stability of programs, regardless of who sits as president, Cabinet or Local Government official. In addition, it will recognize the basic right of all individuals and couples to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children. It also intends to recognize the right of all individuals to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence.

Filipinos have the right to be in charge of their own reproductive decisions

The RH Bill gives individuals and couples the freedom of choice over their own body. The bill gives every Filipino respect and self-determination by ensuring that there is an enabling environment where Filipino can make their own informed decision on how to raise their own family, without coercion or fear.

The bill will enable every individual and couples the right whether or not they want to have children, how many children they will have and the space between their births through an effective reproductive health program./TE