Rody on family planning: 3 children enough

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – President-elect Rodrigo Duterte vowed yesterday to push for a stronger family planning program, specifically limiting the number of children of every couple to three.

“I will reinstall the program of family planning. Three children should be enough so social workers must be proactive. Better shape up,” Duterte said during the flag-raising ceremony yesterday at Davao City Hall, his last before he assumes office as the 16th president of the country on June 30. 

He said he expects to lock horns again with the Catholic Church over the issue.

The country’s population has reached over 101 million, based on the latest national census.

Duterte pointed out that among the past administrations, it was only president Fidel Ramos who, despite opposition from the Catholic Church, strongly pushed for the Reproductive Health Law.

The Catholic Church has been consistent in its stand against abortion and contraception. He said he has initiated a family planning program in this city involving the distribution of contraceptive pills for free and the granting of “cash incentive” of as much as P5,000 for vasectomy or ligation.

The RH Law, passed in December 2012 under President Aquino, allows public health centers to hand out contraceptives such as condoms and pills and teach sex education in schools.

Apparently intended as another joke, Duterte said he is ready to offer P10,000 to anyone who would have his penis cut off as part of his family planning drive.

“I give free family planning pills and I give P5,000 for each vasectomy and ligation case and I am even willing to give P10,000 for whoever would have his penis cut,” Duterte said.

He even joked about having his own penis cut off because of the problem between his former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman and his current partner Honeylet Avanceña.

“So that it would no longer be a problem. I have mine cut,” Duterte told the more than 500 Davao City Hall employees who attended the flag-raising ceremony.