Osmeña backs free condoms in schools

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is supporting the plan of the Department of Health to distribute free condoms in public schools in the city to control the spread of HIV/AIDS among the youths.

The move, however, was described by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma as a “wrong approach” because it is sending a “wrong impression” to the public.

Palma said the government should instead teach the students the value of “self discipline” rather than distributing condoms.

Osmeña, however, clarified that while he is in favor of the distribution of condom but he is against premarital sex especially when it involves the youth.

“I'm against promiscuity, having sex without getting married...but that's not the job of DOH. The job of DOH is not to enforce the law of God. The job of DOH is concerned with the health of the people,” he said.

If there's a risk with the spread of HIV/ AIDS, he said, it is the mandate of the DOH to implement measures that would contain the problem.

“The church has no right to let the DOH serve as a disciple or an apostle promoting His principles. I hope the church can convince the kids not to use condoms,” Osmeña said.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial announced that the DOH is planning to distribute condoms in schools starting next year.

Osmeña also said that he is in favor of distributing syringes and needles.

“I'm also in favor of the distribution of syringes and needles. Why? Do I want to spread drugs?  No,” the mayor said.

He said that improving the health of the citizens is the mandate of DOH and not about Christianity.

Osmeña cited the responsibility of the City Health Department convincing prostitutes to undergo checkups because the department is concerned about the spread of HIV/STD and not on the legality or illegality of prostitution.

“That’s their concern and that’s fine with me. That’s their only job. They don’t make sumbong to the police where these casas are. They’re not allowed to because they will not go there anymore for their checkups,” he said.

“This is a very basic principle when you’re given an assignment in government. Don’t try to be everything the government or religion is supposed to be,” he added.

But Palma said the government should have a deeper analysis of the problem to be able to come up with a program that is effective.

He said the best approach to solve the problem is discipline.

“It is not because you are using condom, you can already do whatever you want to do. As we said, this might be giving wrong impression,” he explained.

He suggested that the government agencies should have a serious study of the problem. (FREEMAN)