RH Bill in LEDAC Priority is Good News

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan today said that it is indeed positive that the Aquino administration has included the Reproductive Health Bill among its priorities. “This is a welcome development. It is a go signal for both Congress and the Senate to immediately work on the passage of this bill.” Ilagan authors HB 3387 or the Comprehensive Reproductive Health Bill along with Rep Emmi De Jesus.The bill has been consolidated with similar measures and approved at the committee level. The consolidated version will be facing deliberations at the plenary. Meanwhile, reacting to the CBCP’s statement against the distribution of condoms on Valentine’s day,“it is their prerogative to advise their flock against distributing condoms for free, but it certainly is not within the powers of the Church to dictate on what the Department of Health or non-governmental organizations and individuals must do on Valentine’s Day.” The Gabriela solon was also quick to remindcritics of the RH Bill to keep an open mind. “Let us not trivialize reproductive health by reducing the debates to the distribution of condoms. Our proposal goes beyond giving free contraceptives and population control. It is all about making maternal health care, fertility management options, education and information accessible and available to women, especially the poor. The urgency of a Reproductive Health Law cannot be emphasized enough.”###