Image from CBS: 

A lot of people says that President Aquino is pro RH Bill, then again after sometime after the elections cool down some of his critics says that his claim on being pro is starting to "soften." Anyways, another important issue was that DLSU's Br. Armin would become the DepEd Secreatary. Let's just see what happens next.

Both the opposition and the pro RH bill claims that they both are pro- life and claims that the other is the one that promotes otherwise. Anti - RH Bill people claims that the RH Bill promotes abortion and promiscuity, inspite the clear evidence that RH bill does not really support abortion. They also say that contraceptives also "kills future lives." On the other side RH bill supporters claims that it would save the life of the mother and the child. The mother in a sense that she could have more or less determine how many children their family could have which also means that it would lessen the dangers of giving birth and for the child as there are times that some families do not really have the capability to nurture a child.


So this question comes next; which side is the genuine "pro - life" advocates?

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....which is heavily promoted by the conservatives in the country.

"Researchers interviewed 1,100 married women of reproductive age, plus 50 key informants. Investigators also conducted nine pre-survey and 27 post-survey focus group discussions with women, men, community leaders, members of women's groups, and family planning service providers. Both rural and urban residents took part in the study.


More than half of the women interviewed currently used contraception or had used family planning at some point. Thirty seven percent are current users. The most popular methods are the pill, tubal ligation, and injections while the most unpopular are male-oriented methods -- condoms and vasectomy. The most common reason for choice of family planning methods was effectiveness, while the most often cited side effect was dizziness. In focus group discussions, men and women expressed fears about contraceptive side effects and gave this concern as a reason for not using family planning.
Family planning users were more likely to engage in paid work than were non-users. Family planning use provided increased economic opportunities for women, including opportunities to earn a living and to become more efficient workers.
Women who used family planning were more likely to participate in community activities, such as Parent-Teacher Associations, religious organizations and beautification projects. Women found community activities relaxing, and said these activities allowed them to socialize and interact with their peers. Women reported that social participation gave them satisfaction and increased their sense of self-worth.
More family planning users than nonusers shared decision-making with their husbands in four areas: the woman's work outside the home; the woman's travel outside the community; use of family planning; and plans for future births. Nonusers were more likely to report that their husbands made decisions independently in these four areas.
More than one-third of the women reported they had been victims of physical abuse, psychological abuse, or both. Most domestic violence happened when the perpetrator (usually the husband) had been drinking. Among the perceived causes of violence were jealousy, quarrels due to suspected infidelity, and arguments over financial and other family matters. The most common reported acts of physical abuse were beating, boxing, slapping, and kicking. Contraceptive use did not reduce women's risks of violence, nor did work status."


From:  FHi.org


And what does all these numbers and stats tell us? Women needs the RH Bill to protect themselves.

I've heard in the radio that G8, eight of the most powerful countries around the world are making moves on how they would decrease number of deaths among women giving birth. It was mentioned that they were planning on investing on medical researches on how to conduct a safe delivery at child birth. 


I was actually pleased with this news that at least those countries at the top are still conscious of these kind of things. And I personally think that's really how it should be; instead of exploiting weaker countries, they should concentrate on how they could make this world a better place.

Though it was clear for me that the aim of DOH was to use print materials and FGDs to inform people on family planning, there were areas that were not mentioned or clearly stated. They should have at least mentioned the contents of the print material they were distributing. I find it to vague when they say “Its key messages are on the benefits of the family productivity and fulfilment of basic needs like food security, health and education.” It’s as if family planning is the key to the whole family crisis. Yes it is true that if you plan how many children in your family you would have can actually save both the parents and the children from any financial problems if the parents find that they really do not have the capability of sustaining a family. But it’s as if family planning is the answer to all the problems in the country. If there were specific information like if they have indicated steps on appropriate family planning on their print materials or if they have provided images on the different types of contraceptives (other than the condoms they were giving out) the press release could have been clearer for me. 


As a reader of the press release, it did not really move me to action or convince me that this was something new, innovative, or exciting. As far as I have heard, DOH has been doing campaigns for family planning in the past. Although I have read in the press release that they have change the manner of language in the prints in a more friendlier and familiar manner, they should have at least showed something new, like what the title says. I found the last statements on the article helpful; the one that mentioned on the statistics of married women not informed on family planning. It somehow surprised me and made me think on the issue of informing women on family planning. Overall, the press release made its point on the plans of DOH on informing people about family planning and the medium to be used but the contents of the their new communicating strategy was not clear.

As what I have understood from the press release, DOH is planning to do a health promotion fair in Manila for family planning. It was also the launching of their new communication strategies for family planning which are print materials and focused group discussions. It was indicated in the press release that DOH asserts that family planning can make the couple’s lives better and that a lot of married woman did not receive information on family planning. It was also mentioned that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been a partner of DOH in their family planning programs for more than 30 years and shows their willingness in helping DOH for the years to come. Informing people, as DOH have said, would be the key in successful family planning. 

I've heard people that say that parents are the ones who should  teach their children on sex ed. These people believe that if it comes from the parents, it would not sound too malign and that it would sound more "appropriate." Some would think its better to teach sex ed at school, because it would appear "academically." Others would just say why bother.


Personally I believe that parents and the school should work together in this one. Parents would tend to feel awkward talking about these kind of things to their children that's why the school would be there. Still there are things the student want to ask but can't really ask the school for some reason, that's where parents come in. Other than that, parents are the ones who really should teach the morality on why there is sex ed, that having a family is something serious. The school can't really teach the child certain things a parent could.


I've mentioned on my previous posts that i'm for sex ed because its much more safer. Its also more assuring. In a conservative country like the Philippines, having sex outside marriage is always kept secret but not inexistent. Teaching sex ed would not only help people here realize these kind of things but be also aware of the consequences of these "taboo" in society.

Got a bit international for the past few days but I can't help but relate those topics here. I just remembered how the politicians last elections had their different stand on the RH Bill. I can't help but get annoyed on people who say things just for the sake of them being liked by the majority, though I do know that's what politics is about but isn't that a bit ironic. For honest politicians, its still the same. There are certainly times you should please the crowd around you. You lie for the sake of being true to your goals, whether it be for your own or for the country.


Though the RH bill is just on the bills waiting to be passed in the legislative branch, though this may sound very repetitive, like a mantra or drone's buzz....please..once in a while think for the country.