The principal author of the proposed Reproductive Health Care and Population Development Act of 2008 is Albay Representative Edcel C. Lagman. I haven’t read and don’t have access to the copy of the said bill but the main points of the bill has been published at the InquirerDotNet (click here).
From the statements made by the principal author on TV interviews and from the main-points published, as mentioned above, I understand that he has no other intention but to help the Filipino families uplift their living from poverty, and help women avoid the life threatening risks of pregnancy.
The Roman Catholic church Authorities here in the Philippines oppose this proposed bill because according to them it promotes artificial methods of birth control and the legalization of the abortion. Artificial Birth control and abortion are against to the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. While other non-religious groups called themselves as Pro-Life consider the artificial birth control as abortifacient or is life threatening not only to the unborn children but also the pregnant mothers.
But according to the author of this bill, the Reproductive Health Care bill does not promote only the artificial birth control. It also promotes the natural birth control. Both the natural and artificial birth control will be promoted because they are “both modes of contraceptive methods.” The couples will not be forced to choose to one of the methods but will be given the freedom to choose on the mode of birth control based on their “needs, personal convictions and religious beliefs.”
The said bill, according to the author, “does not legalize abortion. It expressly provides that “abortion remains a crime” and “prevention of abortion” is essential to fully implement the Reproductive Health Care Program.” However, by promoting some artificial methods of birth control which are abortifacient such as the use of IUD and oral contraceptives that prevent the implantation of fertilized egg, make the said claim false. Remember that life already exist on the fertilized egg. So, preventing it to be implanted on the uterus for further development is already considered abortion. Now to make this bill really a non-life threatening bill, the author, I think, should exclude IUD and other contraceptives that prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg, in the methods that should be promoted to couples.
Read more, check the following:
- Reproductive health bill: Facts, fallacies (Inquirer)
- Church reply to reproductive health bill: facts, fallacies (Inquirer)
- For Whom The Bell, Tolls: The Battle for Reproductive Heath in the Philippines
Update:
Found the copy of the Proposed reproductive health care bill by Rep. Edcel Lagman. Click here.
Note:
This is my response to your request on providing you info about the proposed reproductive health care bill by Rep. Edcel Lagman. Thank you so much.
Useful Articles to read:
- 85 Million Catholics Endorse Reproductive Health Bill - Lagman
- I support Reproductive Health Bill and Population Development Act of 2008 (About My Recovery)
- In support of the Reproductive Health Bill (Misteryosa)
| 3.5 (4 people) |
SELaplana, 20 August 2008 at 
September 13th, 2008 at 11:06 am
We’re 100% behind you, Cong. Lagman. The Catholic Church is not telling the truth to the people. In the Book of Genesis,
God teaches people to increase and multiply. The Catholic Church also bases its teaching on the above verse. However, she fails to or deliberately stop continue reading the verse that says “…multiply and subdue it”. Subdue means to overcome or control. Therefore, it is morally and biblically right to prevent conception. It is only when there’s a living fetus that any attempt to stop the life is considered an abortion.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
An ideal population is like a pyramid. If you control the natural population growth, there would be more older than younger citizens (base/foundation). Our country would collapse. Developed countries are experiencing scarcity of human resource. At isa ang Pilipinas sa mga pumupuno ng pagkukulang nila. It is not just about moral issue.
September 13th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
We Filipinos must learn to be responsible parents. I might be fine with couples to have 12 children as long as they can raise these children properly, give them proper nurishments, good education, shelter and everything that their children would need so they will grow up to become useful, responsible and prouctive citizens in the future. But, if a couple can’t afford to raise their children properly, I don’t think they have the right to have more children.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Recently, I went to Antipolo Church, there are having a signature campaign against the reproductive health bill. I was approached by this lady and asking me to sign, but I refused because I am pro-reproductive health bill. After a short explanation, she is still insisting me to sign for the sake of the church. But I stood firm on my position regarding this bill. I hope these ladies in Antipolo Church should learned first how to respect others opinion and beliefs.
If the Catholic Church reaches the number of signatures they needed, I am 100% sure that most it were forced to sign because they are begging.
The reproductive Health Bill are really for the benefit of the women in this society. I hope Cong. Lagman and the others may be able to pass this bill.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
The Church is contradicting herself. Rhythym method or having sex during the time the couples expect the woman won’t get pregnant is against same as the other methods. Having sex but without the intention of creating new life. Kung sinasabi ng Simbahan na may pera sa likod ng bill, may pera o power din sa likod ng pagkontra sa pag-pass nito. Parehong walang basehan ang accusations na ito. But I am against of controlling the natural growth of the population in general.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:02 am
I think Reproductive Health Bill is very useful especially in this time of crisis. Food shortage, global warming and biological problems we indeed need this kind of bill. Lets think of our next generations ,they will not recieve any of our resources that are now decreasing because of population growth. We must be aware beacause maybe after 50-100 years later
thre will be a human extinction!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:29 am
5 - 10 years from now there will be human extinction because of higher death rate as a result of unabated corruption and greediness of people to amass wealth at the expense of others. Kahit may population control kung ang nasa posisyon ay patuloy ang pagiging ganid, patuloy paring magugutom at mamamatay ng dilat ang walang kapangyarihan (powerless) at mahihina (helpless). Hindi binabago ng population control ang mga sumusunod: (a) ang patuloy na attitude ng tao na gawing sex object ang kanyang kabiyak na siyang sumisira sa pagpapahalaga at pagbibigay respeto sa isa’t isa; (b) patuloy na pagtingin ng tao na commodity lang ang kapwa tao niya; at (c) patuloy na hindi pag-ako ng mga magulang sa kanilang responsibility na gumabay sa mga anak dahil iisipin nilang may “safe sex” namang paraan para hindi sila mabuntis at malagay sa kahihiyan at nasa sa kanilang mga anak na lang ang desisyon dahil may “free choice” naman sila kahit hindi pa husto ang kanilang gulang para maging mature sa kanilang desisyon.