Committee on population briefs media on reproductive health

By Analiza S. Macatangay

Monday 20th of August 2012

NAGA CITY, Aug 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), briefed members of the local media, Thursday, at StarMark Royale, here on the status of the reproductive health bill currently being amended in Congress.

PLCPD is an organization of legislators from the Senate and House of Representatives working together among legislative bodies from the national down to the local level to develop policies on population and human development.

Rio Magpayo, PLCPD Local Governance and Development Center manager, discussed the salient provisions of House Bill 4244 or an Act providing for a comprehensive policy on responsible parenthood, reproductive health, population and development among members of the press.

Contrary to the belief the RH bill is centered on abortion or the aspects of family planning only, Magpayo clarified it is only one of the 12 elements of the said bill.

“We are sometimes misguided with the notion that we are only talking about family planning when we say reproductive health. There are other concerns that are included in this bill, all for the over-all welfare of the mother and her child specifically regarding health concerns, that will not just benefit the family but the society as well,” Magpayo said.

The 12 elements of reproductive health contains maternal, infant and child health and nutrition, including breastfeeding, prevention and management of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions and disorders and proscription of abortion and management of abortion complications.

The RH Bill also includes salient provisions on the treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction, mental health aspect of reproductive health care, counseling and education in sexuality and sexual health, male involvement and participation, elimination of violence against women, adolescent and youth reproductive health, education and counseling on sexuality and reproductive health and family planning information and services.

Magpayo reiterated that the inclusion of the family planning provision in the bill aims to provide accurate education and counseling on the full range of legal and medically safe Family Planning (FP) methods. It also aims to provide education in information on human sexuality and responsible parenthood in schools and workplaces.

In the establishment of the RH Care programs, members of the society will also be provided with information and services addressing RH needs of the poor, senior citizens, women in prostitution, differently-abled persons and women and children in war crisis situation.

Dr. John Ferchito Avelino, OIC Director III of the Center for Health Development , Department of Health (DOH) Region V, also one of the invited speakers during the media briefing , acknowledged the importance of a multi media campaign to raise the level of public awareness on the urgent need to protect and promote reproductive health and rights and population and development. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)