Filipinos and the Reproductive Health Bill
Jamila Colleen M. Briones
Prof. Anna Melinda De Ocampo
ENGLISH 10 class WFV1
9 September 2011
Filipinos and the Reproductive Health Bill The Reproductive Health Bill – more commonly known as the RH Bill – is one of the most controversial bills that are being discussed today. It was only recently, however, that much attention had been directed towards it. The implementation of laws provisioning almost the same contents as the RH Bill today dates back in the late 1960’s during the reign of former President Ferdinand Marcos. At that time, Family Planning was adopted by the government purely for the purpose of population reduction towards the alleviation of poverty, as is the government’s commitment to population control stated in The 1973 Constitution, “It shall be the responsibility of the state to achieve and maintain population levels conducive to the national welfare” (Likhaan and ARROW 17). Unfortunately, when the Marcos administration was replaced by the Aquino administration, the ground for the government Family Planning Program became shaky. It was attempted to be abolished twice but was saved through its transfer from the Department of Social Welfare to the Department of Health in 1988 due to both local and international pressures (17). During the Ramos administration, the Philippine approach towards population control shifted from the previous population control framework to the reproductive health approach (Likhaan and ARROW 17). This was a result of the Philippine participation to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt (17). It was also under this regime that Secretary of Health, Dr. Juan Flavier funded the purchase of contraceptives and launched an anti-AIDS campaign heavily featuring condoms despite fervent opposition from the rulers of the Catholic Church (17). A legacy that perhaps he passed on to his successor Dr. Carmencita Reodica who was the brain behind the implementation of an Integrated
Prof. Anna Melinda De Ocampo
ENGLISH 10 class WFV1
9 September 2011
Filipinos and the Reproductive Health Bill The Reproductive Health Bill – more commonly known as the RH Bill – is one of the most controversial bills that are being discussed today. It was only recently, however, that much attention had been directed towards it. The implementation of laws provisioning almost the same contents as the RH Bill today dates back in the late 1960’s during the reign of former President Ferdinand Marcos. At that time, Family Planning was adopted by the government purely for the purpose of population reduction towards the alleviation of poverty, as is the government’s commitment to population control stated in The 1973 Constitution, “It shall be the responsibility of the state to achieve and maintain population levels conducive to the national welfare” (Likhaan and ARROW 17). Unfortunately, when the Marcos administration was replaced by the Aquino administration, the ground for the government Family Planning Program became shaky. It was attempted to be abolished twice but was saved through its transfer from the Department of Social Welfare to the Department of Health in 1988 due to both local and international pressures (17). During the Ramos administration, the Philippine approach towards population control shifted from the previous population control framework to the reproductive health approach (Likhaan and ARROW 17). This was a result of the Philippine participation to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt (17). It was also under this regime that Secretary of Health, Dr. Juan Flavier funded the purchase of contraceptives and launched an anti-AIDS campaign heavily featuring condoms despite fervent opposition from the rulers of the Catholic Church (17). A legacy that perhaps he passed on to his successor Dr. Carmencita Reodica who was the brain behind the implementation of an Integrated
Cited: NSO, 2006. “Maternal Deaths.” National Statistics Office. 9 March 2011. Web. 18 October 2011. Retrieved from: < http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/sr11563tx.html> Dizon, David