A group of leading reproductive health supporters is frustrated and angered with P-Noy’s sudden withdrawal of his support on responsible parenthood (RP) and reproductive health (RH).
According to Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), P-Noy’s change of mind came as a shock and at the same time angered reproductive health advocates who had high hopes on him.
“Malacanang’s announcement of its priority bills which excluded RP/RH measure came unexpected at a time when Filipino women, families, and parents had high hopes for the President to carry out a national policy in support of his pledge regarding responsible parenthood. We understand that P-Noy is under so much pressure since the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had intensified their campaign against the RH Bill health, but we did not expect him to backtrack on his position on this very important issue,” laments San Pascual.
His withdrawal of support on the reproductive health/responsible parenthood bill is essentially turning his back on his social contract with the Filipino People, which he himself defined during his campaign for the presidency, laments San Pascual. “What about the lives of women, especially poor mothers who have long been suffering from the failure of the government to respond to their reproductive health needs?” he added.
“We are dismayed that P-Noy has chosen to accommodate the bishops over the interest of the greater majority. Malacanang should not use the unfinished dialogue with CBCP as lame excuse for not certifying the reproductive health/responsible parenthood, which Malacanang admitted is in the top of the president’s human development agenda. It would be unfair for women to continue to become hostage of a dialogue and debate that has been going on for the past ten years,” he stressed.
“This is the time that President must act on behalf of poor women and families by standing firm on his promise to pursue responsible parenthood. We urge him to reconsider the inclusion of RP/RH bill as a priority bill that must be submitted to LEDAC” he said further.
We call on upon the president to heed the voice of the people who are truly affected by the lack of reproductive health education and services and not give in to dogmatic impositions of few bishops, ended San Pascual.-30- Vigie Benosa-Llorin, PLCPD
