The following acts are prohibited: (a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall: (1) Knowingly withhold information or restrict the dissemination thereof, and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe, non-abortifacient and effective family planning methods; (2) Refuse to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of consent or authorization of the following persons in the following instances: (i) Spousal consent in case of married persons: Provided, That in case of disagreement, the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail; and, (ii) Parental consent or that of the person exercising parental authority in the case of abused minors, where the parent or the person exercising parental authority is the respondent, accused or convicted perpetrator as certified by the proper prosecutorial office of the court. You cannot be too loving 3. All accredited public health facilities shall provide a full range of modern family planning methods, which shall also include medical consultations, supplies and necessary and reasonable procedures for poor and marginalized couples having infertility issues who desire to have children: Provided, That family planning services shall likewise be extended by private health facilities to paying patients with the option to grant free care and services to indigents, except in the case of non-maternity specialty hospitals and hospitals owned and operated by a religious group, but they have the option to provide such full range of modern family planning methods: Provided, further, That these hospitals shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and services to another health facility which is conveniently accessible: Provided, finally, That the person is not in an emergency condition or serious case as defined in Republic Act No. Aid recipients such as the Philippines faced the challenge to fund its own contraception program. Mobile Health Care Service. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, known as the RH Law, is a groundbreaking law that guarantees universal and free access to nearly all modern contraceptives for all citizens, including impoverished communities, at government health centers. "[9], The bill also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to guarantee the reproductive health rights of its female employees. Hiring of Skilled Health Professionals for Maternal Health Care and Skilled Birth Attendance. Explain your rules and decisions 10. Before the end of April each year, the DOH shall submit to the President of the Philippines and Congress an annual consolidated report, which shall provide a definitive and comprehensive assessment of the implementation of its programs and those of other government agencies and instrumentalities and recommend priorities for executive and legislative actions. Emergency Obstetric Care "The implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must be put into full force and effect so that couples, especially the poor, will have freedom of informed choice in . Our country's HIV/AIDS statistics have increased by 30 percent! Leaders of both sides, including Rep. Lagman and Rep. Golez, were present. 10354 (The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012) WHEREAS, Having taken effect on January 17, 2013 in large part due to the strong advocacy of stakeholders and the commitment of Government, Republic Act No. It is an Act that was passed in parliament of Philippines.It states that. On July 27, 2012, the Speaker of the House decided to put to a vote, by August 7, 2012, on whether the debates have to be terminated. This Act shall be liberally construed to ensure the provision, delivery and access to reproductive health care services, and to promote, protect and fulfill womens reproductive health and rights. It is likewise a shared responsibility between parents to determine and achieve the desired number of children, spacing and timing of their children according to their own family life aspirations, taking into account psychological preparedness, health status, sociocultural and economic concerns consistent with their religious convictions. Pro Bono Services for Indigent Women. Write. Treat your child with respect Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, House of Representatives of the Philippines, United States Agency for International Development, Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development, International Planned Parenthood Federation, University of the Philippines School of Economics, "Legislative History at the House of Representatives", "Coercive Population Ploys in the Philippines", "Declaration on Population: The World Leaders Statement", Promoting Reproductive Health: A Unified Strategy to Achieve the MDGs, "National Security Study Memorandum 200: Implications of Worldwide Population Growth for U.S. Security and Overseas Interests (NSSM 200)", "Copy of new RH bill version filed at the House of Representatives", "Population, Poverty, Politics and the Reproductive Health Bill", "Population and Poverty: A Review of the Evidence, Links, Implications for the Philippines", "Arguments for the Reproductive Health Bill", "Facts and Fallacies on the Reproductive Health Bill", "Aquino eases up on reproductive health bill", "Population density Persons per sq km 2011 country ranks, By Rank", "THE 2010 CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING REVEALS THE PHILIPPINE POPULATION AT 92.34 MILLION", "CATHOLICS CAN SUPPORT THE RH BILL IN GOOD CONSCIENCE", "The Demographic Dividend: A New Perspective on the Economic Consequences of Population Change", "2 RH authors want population control provisions scrapped", "Review & Outlook: Keeping the Philippine Dream Alive", "Studies show maternal deaths in Philippines in decline", "Year-ender report: The crusade for a culture of life, Part 2", "POSITION PAPER ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL", "Sotto asks Senate to scrap 'redundant' RH bill", "RH bill authors agree to make sex education optional", "Transcript of Secretary Clinton's statement to G8 Ministers", "Statement on Reproductive Health Bill 5043", "Solons laud SWS survey on family planning", "Pulse Asia's October 2008 Nationwide Survey on Reproductive Health and the Reproductive Health Bill", "Pulse Asia survey: 69% of Filipinos agree with RH bill", "Philippines still divided on reproductive health bill", "Philstar poll on RH Bill " Nation " News", "Santo Papa umapela sa mga Pinoy na ipagtanggol ang buhay", "Thousands join anti-RH Bill rally The Freeman " The Freeman Sections " Cebu News", "7 Bataan barangays follow Ayala Alabang, pass own RH laws", "Thousands in Laguna, Quezon, Leyte march vs RH bill", "We need to debate on RH Bill, says Garin | The News Today", "RH bill activists hold rally; House OKs RH budget", "1,000 women march to Mendiola for Reproductive Health bill", "No delay but RH bill won't be passed this yearEnrile", "RH Bill Philippines: full text of reproductive health and related measures", "Massive Church rally set against RH bill", "DOH proposed nearly P14billion to fund RH bill in 2012", "No foreign funding for RH lobby Lagman", Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, "CBCP, Palace to launch info drive on family planning", "Aquino risks Church ire on reproductive health bill", "Talking Points for Dialogue on the Reproductive Health Bill (HB 96; filed July 1, 2010)", "House minority group no longer supports RH bill " Nation " News", "House, Senate approve reproductive health bill on final reading", "Senate, House ratify bicameral panel version of RH Bill", "President Aquino signs RH bill into law", "Justices say Supreme Court cannot settle medical issues in RH law", "Supreme Court extends order stopping RH law", "Last hearing on RH law, gov't has last word", "Philippines to offer free contraceptives to 6 million women", "House Bill No. 1. 23. (g) Gender equality refers to the principle of equality between women and men and equal rights to enjoy conditions in realizing their full human potentials to contribute to, and benefit from, the results of development, with the State recognizing that all human beings are free and equal in dignity and rights. Provided, That LGUs may implement its own procurement, distribution and monitoring program consistent with the overall provisions of this Act and the guidelines of the DOH. It is the ability of the parent to detect the need, happiness and desire of the children and helping them to become responsible and reasonable children. It also includes emergency neonatal care which includes at the minimum: newborn resuscitation, treatment of neonatal sepsis infection, oxygen support, and antenatal administration of (maternal) steroids for threatened premature delivery. We are thus deeply disturbed and saddened by calls made by some members of the Catholic Church to reject a proposed legislation that promises to improve the wellbeing of Filipino families, especially the lives of women, children, adolescents, and the poor". 1700. The DOH shall procure, distribute to LGUs and monitor the usage of family planning supplies for the whole country. 13. The State shall eradicate discriminatory practices, laws and policies that infringe on a persons exercise of reproductive health rights. 16. The State shall also promote openness to life; Provided, That parents bring forth to the world only those children whom they can raise in a truly humane way. (k) Maternal health refers to the health of a woman of reproductive age including, but not limited to, during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The TFR for women with college education is 2.3, about half that of women with only an elementary education (4.5 children per woman). [79], At 3 in the morning on December 13, 2012, the House of Representatives voted on second reading in favor of the bill with 113109 while five representatives abstained. On September 30, 2010, one of the freethinkers, Carlos Celdran staged a protest action against the Catholic Church, holding a sign which read "DAMASO," a reference to the villainous, corrupt clergyman Father Dmaso of the novel Noli Me Tangere by Filipino revolutionary writer Jose Rizal, and shouting "stop getting involved in politics!" 4. Among those who originally knew of the bill, the score is 84 percent in favor, and 6 percent opposed. It also mentioned the Catholic Church as opposing . These systems are made of organs and hormone-producing glands, including the pituitary gland in the brain. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. The policy gives "paramount importance" to population control measures and the promotion of contraception among 13 populous countries, including the Philippines to control rapid population growth which they deem to be inimical to the sociopolitical national interests of the U.S., since the "U.S. economy will require large and increasing amounts of minerals from abroad", and these countries can produce destabilizing opposition forces against the U.S. One of its flagship programs is the Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) which aims to support DepEd's delivery of its mandate under the Republic Act (RA) . . During the first public hearing on Nov 24, the chair of the Committee on Population handling the bill said that there is no instruction from the Speaker of the House to expedite the bill. The justices, however, struck down eight provisions of the law partially or in full. (v) Responsible parenthood refers to the will and ability of a parent to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children. [70], Young Nine Legislators (Y9L)including Aliah Dimaporo, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Karlo Alexei Nogralessaid that "The proposed P3billion appropriation for the RH bill, if put towards education, can help secure the future of young Filipinos. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. "[17][46] Pulse Asia reported that in an October 2008 survey "most Filipinos are aware of the reproductive health bill pending at the House of Representatives (68%) and are in favor of the bill (63%)". They emphasized that the bill "promotes quality of life, by enabling couples, especially the poor, to bring into the world only the number of children they believe they can care for and nurture to become healthy and productive members of our society". Role of the Food and Drug Administration Rating: Before Reproductive Health (RH) Law was implemented, there were mixed reactions from different sectors. Section 26. Pursuant thereto, the State shall defend: (a) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood; (b) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development; (c) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and, (d) The right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and implementation of policies and programs, The State likewise guarantees universal access to medically-safe, non-abortifacient, effective, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies which do not prevent the implantation of a fertilized ovum as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and relevant information and education thereon according to the priority needs of women, children and other underprivileged sectors, giving preferential access to those identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) and other government measures of identifying marginalization, who shall be voluntary beneficiaries of reproductive health care, services and supplies for free. SEC. Guiding Principles It entails fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, and often requires women-specific projects and programs to end existing inequalities. Section 3. The annual report shall evaluate the content, implementation, and impact of all policies related to reproductive health and family planning to ensure that such policies promote, protect and fulfill womens reproductive health and rights. Proponents also accuse the Catholic Church of holding the Philippines "hostage" and violating the separation of church and state. [citation needed] In 2000, the Philippines signed the Millennium Declaration and committed to attain the Millennium Declaration Goals by 2015, including promoting gender equality and health. SEC. When women who had attempted an abortion were asked their reasons for doing so, their top three responses were: they could not afford the economic cost of raising another child (72%); their pregnancy occurred too soon after the last one (57%); and they already have enough children (54%). According to Galinsky 1981 , there are six stages of Parenthood. "[20], According to Rina Jimenez David who is pro-RH, during the "Women Deliver Philippines" Conference held September 2010, Dinky Soliman, Aquino's Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, said that "choice and access" constituted the keystone of the Aquino government's policy, reiterating the administration's support for the pending reproductive health bills. [46] SWS President and RH Bill proponent, Mahar Mangahas reported that the "survey found 71 percent in favor [of the RH Bill], 21 percent undecided, and a mere 8 percent opposed. SEC. 2. Section 23. These are: (1) We are Pro-Life as our first principle; (2) We are for Responsible Parenthood as our goal; (3) We are for Natural Family Planning as the means; and (4) We are for helping couples make an Informed and Morally Responsible Choice within the context of a pluralistic society. DominoAvocado. For these women, terminating a pregnancy is an anguished choice they make in the face of severe constraints. [8], SEC. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH Secretary or his/her designated representative as Chairperson, the authorized representative/s of DepED, DSWD, Philippine Commission on Women, PHIC, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Economic and Development Authority, League of Provinces, League of Cities, and League of Municipalities, together with NGOs, faith-based organizations, peoples, womens and young peoples organizations, shall jointly promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 11. The total fertility rate for women with a college education is 2.3, about half that of women with only elementary education (4.5). Republic Act No. SEC. Responsible parenthood, its true meaning. Prohibited Acts Responsible Parenthood C. Birth Control. (q) Reproductive health care refers to the access to a full range of methods, facilities, services and supplies that contribute to reproductive health and well-being by addressing reproductive health-related problems. [13], Proponents argue that smaller families and wider birth intervals resulting from the use of contraceptives allow families to invest more in each child's education, health, nutrition and eventually reduce poverty and hunger at the household level. Capacity Building of Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). SEC. (d) Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEMONC) refers to lifesaving services for emergency maternal and newborn conditions/complications as in Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care plus the provision of surgical delivery (caesarian section) and blood bank services, and other highly specialized obstetric interventions. [71], Lagman on the other hand said that both these priorities are important but with a burgeoning population the budget will become even tighter, thus population growth is a major issue. "[9], Although abortion is recognized as illegal and punishable by law, the bill states that "the government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner". The committee quickly passed the bill in just one session. Sexual and reproductive health can be a sensitive topic. [18], Defending the bill, Felipe Medalla, former dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics, said that "although the poor's access to family planning services can be improved even without the law, the absence of the law makes it easier to block the program". ", Filipino Freethinkers, an association of agnostics, atheists, progressives, etc., very active in the fight in favor of the RH bill, stepped up the pressure, creating more controversy that fired up renewed interest in the bill on both sides. According to the 2008 NDHS, only 44 percent of births occur in health facilities and only 62% of births are assisted by a health professional.10 Maternal deaths related to childbirth can be reduced further by access to skilled birth attendants which would be addressed by a comprehensive reproductive health care policy. Capability Building of Barangay Health Workers ONE of the landmark legislation approved into law by the late President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino 3rd was the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, or the RH Law. [34], One of the main concerns of the proponents is the perceived lack of access to family planning devices such as contraceptives and sterilization. While there is general agreement about its . The forty-eight (48) hours annual pro bono services shall be included as a prerequisite in the accreditation under the PhilHealth. Appropriations. 3 2013). 10. What is the positive and negative impact of the law in the family and in the A. There is hereby created a Congressional Oversight Committee (COC) composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Philippine National Drug Formulary System (PNDFS) shall be observed in selecting drugs including family planning supplies that will be included or removed from the Essential Drugs List (EDL) in accordance with existing practice and in consultation with reputable medical associations in the Philippines. (e) Undertaking activities to raise awareness and address misconceptions among the general public on the stigma and their lack of knowledge on the sexual and reproductive health needs and rights of PWDs. Presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro or Gibo suggested a cash transfer from the government to individuals wanting access to family planning methods, whether natural or artificial. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of women especially mothers in particular and of the people in general and instill health consciousness among them. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: Section 1. Copy. According to the ABS-CBN news which reported on the results: "In the SMS poll, 69.58% of votes cast reject the RH bill while 30.42% support it. The editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, moreover, stated that Catholic teaching is "only" a religious teaching and should not be imposed with intolerance on a secular state. (p) That a comprehensive reproductive health program addresses the needs of people throughout their life cycle. [81], On December 19, 2012, both versions of the bill were passed to the Bicameral Committee to produce a final version to be signed by the President Aquino. RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD INFORMED CHOICE Effective and quality reproductive healthcare services, which are ethically and medically safe, legal, accessible and affordable shall be given. 6 An Act Providing for a National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health, Rep. Act No. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, known as the RH Law, is a groundbreaking law that guarantees universal and free access to nearly all modern contraceptives for all citizens, including impoverished communities, at government health centers. [25] Citing Catholic documents and scientific studies, they reasoned that "the RH Bill is pro-life, pro-women, pro-poor, pro-youth, and pro-informed choice". [23] In addition, the total fertility rate for the richest quintile of the population is 2.0, which is about one third the TFR of the poorest quintile (5.9 children per woman). The NPPFP, a major component of the Responsible Parenthood and . [43], Proponents such as Lagman also stressed that official Catholic teaching itself, expressed in the Encyclical Humanae Vitae issued only forty years ago in 1964, is not infallible. 1425, is a Philippine law that mandates all educational institutions in the Philippines to offer courses about Jos Rizal.The Rizal Law, in any case, was emphatically restricted by the Catholic Church in the Philippines, mostly due to the anti-clericalism in Rizal's books Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. For the purpose of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows: (a) Abortifacient refers to any drug or device that induces abortion or the destruction of a fetus inside the mothers womb or the prevention of the fertilized ovum to reach and be implanted in the mothers womb upon determination of the FDA. Congressional approval and presidential assent, Supreme Court challenge and delay of implementation, Section 30 of the law provides that "this act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation". "[74], However, by April 2011 Aquino has given his full support to the entire RH Bill in a speech at the University of the Philippines Diliman and promised to push for its passage even at the "risk of excommunication."[75]. MANILA, Philippines The Catholic Church's staunch opposition to the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act has stalled the law . [54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63], There is mandatory sexuality education starting grade 5, and "malicious disinformation" is penalized. Students also viewed Gender and Society Preface Appreciating Diversity Employers shall inform employees of the availability of family planning. 10354, is a Philippine law that provided universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care in the Philippines. Its staunch opposition to the bill has drawn the controversy among non-Catholics and Catholics alike who support the bill whereby many invoke the principle of separation of church and state. 9 Id. These preventable deaths could have been avoided if more Filipino women have access to reproductive health information and healthcare. My position is more aptly called responsible parenthood rather than reproductive health. Mobile Health Care Service The bill intends to provide universal access through government funding, complementing thus private sector initiatives for family planning services, such as those offered by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which supports the Family Planning Organizations of the Philippines and the 97 organizations of the Philippine NGO Council. Certificate of Compliance Section 27. Section 13. Maternal and Newborn Health Care in Crisis Situations The Catholic Church also states that their stand is based on secular reasons and natural law that are both acceptable to non-Catholics as well. RA 10354 , na kilala rin bilang "Ang Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012" , ay nilagdaan sa isang batas at naganap noong Enero 17, sa gitna ng pagpapatuloy pagsalungat at pagdududa ng ilang mga sektor ng lipunan. Reps. Emerciana de Jesus and Luzviminda Ilagan wanted to delete three provisions which state that "gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health and population and development", which integrate responsible parenthood and family planning programs into anti-poverty initiatives, and which name the Commission on Population and Development Archived February 3, 2021, at the Wayback Machine or POPCOM as a coordinating body. Reproductive Health Law allows us to have the access to a full range of methods, facilities, services and supplies that contribute to reproductive health and well-being by addressing reproductive health-related problems. Couples determine their ideal family size. [3][4][5] The Philippines agreed that the population problem should be considered as the principal element for long-term economic development. [10] They say that lack of access leads to a number of serious problems which demand attention: (1) "too many and too closely-spaced children raises the risk of illness and premature deaths (for mother and child alike)," (2) "the health risks associated with mistimed and unwanted pregnancies are higher for adolescent mothers, as they are more likely to have complications during labor," (3) women who have mistimed pregnancies are "constrained to rely more on public education and health services and other publicly provided goods and services", further complicating limited public resources, (4) families are not able to achieve their desired family size. It means that the state should be guided by the principle that it should support no specific religion and so government funding should not be allocated for building churches or mosques and not favor any particular religion. Anti-RH Deputy Speaker Congressman Pablo Garcia said the members of the Committee on Health knew of the WHO announcement on the carcinogenicity of combined estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives. Philippine Daily Inquirer / 07:22 AM July 22, 2019. The advancement and protection of womens human rights shall be central to the efforts of the State to address reproductive health care. "[72] MacDonald noted that the total fertility rate for the richest quintile of the population is 2.0, while the total fertility rate of the poorest quintile is 5.9. SEC. That amount can build 4,644 new classroomsor it can subsidize the college education of 300,000 scholarsa chance for underprivileged student achievers to earn their diploma". The DOH shall coordinate with all appropriate local government bodies to plan and implement this procurement and distribution program. [76], The Loyola School of Theology and the John J. Carroll Institute on State and Church Issues issued nine talking points on the RH Bill. If the offender is a pharmaceutical company, its agent and/or distributor, their license or permit to operate or conduct business in the Philippines shall be perpetually revoked, and a fine triple the amount involved in the violation shall be imposed. Pro-RH Bill senators encouraged the President to be steadfast to do his duties towards the state. [25], The bill, said Clara Padilla of EnGender Rights Inc, will "help reduce the number of abortions by providing increased access to information and services on modern contraceptive methods, that in turn will reduce the number of unwantedand often abortedpregnancies". Section 2. They also proposed "parallel programs for providing information and training, one for Natural Family Planning (NFP) and another for artificial methods of family planning". [9], The national government and local governments will ensure the availability of reproductive health care services like family planning and prenatal care. 3. The benefits of responsible parenthood are that it produces children who are well rounded, healthy, and well adjusted.