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LAGMAN TO ARCHBISHOP TAGLE: TALK ALSO WITH RH AUTHORS

Press Statements
  • Rep. Edcel C. Lagman
  • Independent-Albay
  • 15 February 2012
  • 0916-6406737 / 0918-9120137

 

  • LAGMAN TO ARCHBISHOP TAGLE:
  • TALK ALSO WITH RH AUTHORS

 

        Without prejudice to continuing the plenary debates and consideration of the RH bill, its principal authors led by Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, Independent-Albay, want to have “enlightening sessions” with religious representatives of the Catholic hierarchy.

         Since the RH bill is pending in Congress, the call of Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle for the resumption of dialogues should not be limited to Malacañang officials but must include Congressional leaders, particularly the major proponents of the measure.

         The dialogues can be conducted separately or jointly with Palace representatives.

         The agenda for the meetings should include the following core provisions of the RH bill:

         (1)    The central concept is freedom of informed choice on the use of family planning methods from the natural to the modern which are legal, medically safe and truly effective;

         (2)    There shall be neither compulsion nor bias in favor of a particular family planning method;

         (3)    A full recognition that the Philippines has a population problem which is aggravated by limited resources and a precarious carrying capacity;

         (4)    There is an indubitable and empirical linkage between population and sustainable human development, including poverty;

         (5)    No human development agenda is achievable without addressing the issue on population;

         (6)    The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly on improvement of maternal health, reduction of infant mortality, attainment of universal primary education and eradication of extreme poverty and hunger  can be made more attainable with the passage of the RH bill;

         (7)    The RH bill envisions a comprehensive and nationwide policy on responsible parenthood, family planning and population development which are not particularly addressed by existing laws and changing policies; and

         (8)    There is need to institutionalize and codify related statutes and policies on reproductive health, women’s rights, child nutrition and protection, prevention of violence against women and allied concerns, and earmark adequate funding.