PB gets briefing on RH Bill

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board was briefed yesterday on the pros and cons of the controversial Reproductive Health Care Bill now pending in Congress.

Invited to discuss the matter were Dr. Milagros Chan of the Obstetric and Gynecology of the Cebu Doctors University Hospital for the pro-RH and Dr. Rene Josef Bullecer for the anti-RH.

When asked by Board Member Thadeo Ouano, both speakers agreed that the proposed measures aims to promote maternal and child health care.

But Bullecer denies that the bill promotes freedom of choice, explaining the Catholic church is for natural mode of family planning and one may choose another church if they insist in defying their teachings.

Chan emphasized that the bill promotes the reproductive health and rights of the women and it only mentions a very small portion on family planning.

Board Member Thaddeus Jude Sybico questioned Bullecer why he said contraceptives promote abortion when there is no life yet.

Bullecer explained that massive distribution of contraceptives once the bill is passed into law will result to abortion.

Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza also asked if availability of contraceptives in the barangay health centers could promote promiscuity, to which Chan answered it can not except if one is really promiscuous.

Chan asked especially the anti-RH not to impose their own belief on other people and to balance the statement on the side effects of using contraceptives.

Ouano hit Bullecer for saying that corruption in government caused poverty among the people and not overpopulation.

The PB Member said that it seemed to project that all government officials are corrupt. 

The PB is yet to come up with a collective stand on the RH Bill issue.

Board Member Julian Daan tried to ask the legislative body’s collective stand but he was stopped by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale who said they are still in the initial discussion of the issue.

Magpale told PB members to have enough time to digest the issue before they will make their stand.

Ouano said that once it is deliberated on the floor, he wants that there is a nominal voting.   - (THE FREEMAN)