Phl Commission on Women urges Congress to vote "yes" for RH bill

Monday 6th of August 2012

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 6 (PIA) -- The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) today asked legislators to vote yes for the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, which is up for final decision on Tuesday.

This developed as the the House of Representatives is set to decide on the fate of the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population Development Act (HB 4244) on Tuesday, August 7.

After more than a decade since the first reproductive health (RH) bill was filed, the country is now closer to a vote.

“We urge our lawmakers to represent the views of majority of the Filipino women who clamor for information and services on family planning and how to become more responsible parents," Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa said in a statement.

The PCW was formerly known as the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW) until August 14, 2009. It is the primary policy-making and coordinating body on women and gender equality concerns.

PCW also said that a survey by the Social Weather Stations (2nd quarter 2011) showed that 82 percent of Filipinos say family planning method is a “sacred” personal choice, and 73 percent want information on legal methods available from government.

The 2011 Family Health Survey showed an “alarming” maternal mortality ratio of 221 per 100,000 lives births, higher than the last official figure of 162.

Verzosa urged the Congress to vote “yes” on ending the interpellation period, move forward with the amendments and the eventual passage of the RH Bill.

“If there is no quorum on Tuesday or if the 'no' votes win, then the bill dies. We cannot let that happen,” Verzosa said.

She added that provision of age-appropriate sexuality education is needed to curb the steady increase in teenage pregnancies. “We cannot just let poor mothers die due to pregnancy and child birth complications,” Verzosa said.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, there are 53 births per 1,000 women aged between 15-19. Furthermore, the 2011 Family Health Survey showed that teenage fertility has increased to 10 percent in 2011, from 6 percent in 2006.

“We call upon all RH advocates to flock to Batasan on August 7 to show our mighty support for the RH bill,” Verzosa said. (PCW/RJB/JRCA/PIA-NCR)