The Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008, or what is more popularly known as the Reproductive Health Bill, has drawn many opinions, argumentation, and commotions in the past few months. The State and the Catholic Church have been involved in disagreements regarding this issue. The State, particularly the sponsors of the said Bill, claims that the proposed RH Bill is beneficial to the people, especially in addressing the population explosion in the country. However, the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) strongly disagrees with this Bill. Thus, this contributes to the delay of the passing of this motion to the congress.
For those who are wondering what the RH Bill really has to offer, I made a research on its coverage and luckily (?), I was able to find only a piece of the said Bill.
Information and access to natural and modern family planning. The first coverage of the RH Bill clearly states that couples are given the orientation on the different ways of birth control. Unlike what most of the opponents of the RH Bill think that it will only promote immoral methods of family planning, such as the use of pills, condom, intrauterine device, among others, the Bill also acknowledges the natural methods of birth control, like the rhythm and calendar methods and abstinence (?).
Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition. Having one foot of the mother in the grave while giving birth, it is but proper to consider the health and security of the mother and the child. That is why the Bill offers proper information and education in valuing their health and nutrition.
Promotion of breast feeding. According to some experts, one way of building a closer relationship between the mother and the child is through breast feeding. This is explained by closeness of the mammary organ to the heart.
Another benefit of breast feeding is that it delays the fertility of the mother because of what they call lactational amenorrhea. Consequently, breast feeding aids in the promotion of birth control.
Most importantly, breast milk contains the best nutrients for an infant, such as folate, protein, vitamin B12, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin A, among others. Thus, the promotion of breast feeding through the RH Bill is fitted for the program.
Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications. With the right information and proper education of the possible parents, cases of fetus found anywhere can be lessened, if not totally eliminated.
Adolescent and youth health. The Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008 does not only cover the married couples or the parents. This extends to the possible and future parents—the adolescents and the youth.
Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, HIV/AIDS and STDs.
HIV/AIDS and STDs are rampant because people infected with these diseases were ignorant or misinformed with the danger of having sex with their partners. Through this Bill, cases of such diseases will surely decrease because of the information and proper orientation given to the people.
Elimination of violence against women. A contestant in an international beauty pageant once said, “The real essence of a woman is to give birth…” true enough, women play a great and important role in the society. But unfortunately, they are being maltreated; they receive so much disdain; they are being oppressed of their rights. Thus, this Bill protects the rights of every woman, especially in the violence that they are receiving.
Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers. As early as 35 years old, most Filipino women are diagnosed with breast cancer. In a report, the Philippines has the most number of breast cancer cases in the Asian region. In fact, 47.7 percent for every 100, 000 females face the risk of having this kind of cancer. Thus, this RH Bill aims to address this problem.
Male involvement and participation in RH. Since population explosion is not only the problem of the female sex, male participation is also important. Since women can not reproduce alone, therefore, male should also play an active role in the promotion of the reproductive health.
Prevention and treatment of infertility. The Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008 does not tackle only about family planning or birth controls. Every parent’s wish is to have an offspring that will serve as their guide in the sunset stage of their lives.
RH education for the youth. Sex education among Philippine elementary and secondary schools an important aspect of the proposed RH Bill. With the alarming number of abortion, early pregnancy, early marriages, and population explosion, the Bill proposes to give the Filipino children the necessary orientation of reproductive health and practices, as early as grade five.
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