According to the WorldoMeters.Info, the Philippines population as of 2015 has a total number of 101, 802, 706 and 50% of it came from the Urban sector.
However, despite the allocated 2016 budget by the government of President Aquino, Health Secretary Janette Garin confirmed that Congress apparently discarded the said budget for contraceptives. She further explains through a quote in the ABS-CBN article, that this will indeed have a huge impact on the mothers who depend on the government’s assistance.
Birth control pills, condoms, are just a few of the many ways to prevent pregnancy and sustain a healthier lifestyle.
The Battle Against Reproductive Health Bill
In a mainly Catholic country, the government struggled over the Reproductive health bill or contraceptive issue for years. The Catholic sector was discouraged about the thought of preventing pregnancy and has opposed efforts to make the said campaign more available in the Philippines.
However, it was in the year 2014 that the Supreme Court finally supported the Reproductive Health law, striking down more than a dozen petitions from church-backed groups.
With that, the law mandates the public health centres and public health workers must provide the following assistance for:
- free condoms
- free birth control pills
- introduce sex education in schools
- family planning training
The article also stated that medical care after an abortion will also be legalized. But then again, since the Philippines is a catholic country, the abortion, as well as, divorce are illegal.
Meanwhile, the government will seek private donors as an alternative funding program for the contraceptives budget.
Honestly speaking, everyone has the right to bear a child or form a family, so long you can sustain and provide for your own family and NOT depend on the government. As a parent myself, I know how hard it is to cultivate a pleasant future and education for my children. Therefore, if you are not ready and capable of giving such, it would be better to be more responsible, so both can achieve a better future.
What are your thoughts about this issue of Congress discarding the funds for contraceptives? Share them in the comment section below.
