Showing posts with label maternal health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label maternal health. Show all posts
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tour of Hope 2011: Cycling Against Cervical Cancer
Purple Ribbon Goes to the Streets in Support of RH Bill
“After the successful launch a few weeks ago, we have to spread the message to fellow Filipinos particularly those who are more affected by the worsening RH situation of the country,” said Mr. Benjamin de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development and NGO advocating for the passage of the RH Bill. “We don’t just attach stickers in their homes, we explain and listen to what they have to say. Unlike the pulpit wherein only one side gets to speak.” De Leon added.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
PopDev Advocates Honor Memory of Filipino UN Executive
Rafael M. Salas is known as Mr. Population and served as the first Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the rank of U.N. Under-Secretary General from its establishment in 1969 until his death in 1987. From a one room office with two staff, Rafael Salas transformed his unit into what is now the United Nations Population Fund. Under his leadership, UNFPA became the world’s largest source of population assistance and he elevated population issues into a global concern. Today UNFPA is one of the main agencies of the United Nations. Before joining the UN, Salas served as the Executive Secretary to former President Ferdinand Marcos and is considered the best administrator of his time. But conflict in principles, prompted Salas to resign from his post in the Marcos government.
During his term as Executive Secretary, he recruited the best and brightest young men and women to serve government. They were collectively known as “Salas Boys,” and many have become high ranking officials and successful individuals in their own right. Mr. Benjamin de Leon, President of The Forum is a Salas Boy as well as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Cong. Edcel Lagman, former Executive Secretary Ruben Torres, former Supreme Court Justice Leo Quisumbing, former Agrarian Reform Secretary Boy Morales and former DENR Secretary Victor Ramos among others.
“So many improvements in population and development policies have been implemented by governments around the world because of the pioneering works of Mr. Salas. Through his efforts, there is now an agency of the United Nations making sure that the interests of each and every individual is not lost in the discussions on world and state policies on population, health, environment and sustainable development because people matter and everyone counts.” De Leon said.
The promotion of the right to Reproductive Health information and services is also a main thrust of UNFPA. Currently, at least six RH Bills are being reviewed at the House of Representatives including the H.B. 96 by Cong. Lagman and the Senate version authored by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.
“The RH Bill has always been supported by a majority of Filipinos and we are seeing an increasing number of supporters from among our legislators.” De Leon added.
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Debates on RH Bill Continues between Religious Personalities and RH Advocates
Against the background of one of the Constitution’s guarded principles on the separation of Church and State (Art. II, Sec. 6), the discussions on the Reproductive Health Bills have so far included not only a legal dimension, but religious, moral, human rights, ethical and medical dimensions as well. A series of events triggered an increase of discussion about the RH Bill including what advocates are saying as interference of the Catholic Church in government policies particularly on RH and the provision of family planning services.
In a recent forum entitled, Search for Common Ground: Religion, State and the RH Bill organized by the Ateneo School of Law and the Forum for Family Planning and Development, religious leaders from some of the biggest faith based groups in the country came together to discuss the Reproductive Health Bill together with known advocates of the measure. The forum was held at the Ateneo School of Law on November 26.
Fr. Joaquin Bernas S.J. , Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo School of Law, joins other religious leaders which include Bishop Leo Alconga of the Philippines for Jesus Movement, Bishop Rodrido Tano of the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools and Amina Rasul Bernardo of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy.
Facing the panel of religious leaders are some of the most staunch advocates of Reproductive Health such as Benjamin de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development and newly appointed POPCOM Commissioner; former health Secretary Dr. Alberto Romualdez and Cong. Kaka Bag-ao, author of one of six RH Bills filed in Congress.
All the religious groups in the panel expressed their support for the RH Bill. Even Fr. Joaquin Bernas said that in the last Congress, he was in favor of the RH Bill if some provisions are changed. But with the current Congress, he said that so many versions of the bill have been filed and he wonders which RH Bill is able to consider some issues he raised from the perspective of Catholics.
Dr. Alberto Romualdez , shared his disappointment with the current situation. “I am Catholic, raised and educated in Catholic schools. But when I was a medical student, I realized that not all Filipinos are treated equal especially by the health sector.” This thinking was further confirmed when he served as DOH Secretary. “I believe it is not right that there is a woman who has access to all information and services she needs while another doesn’t. Those women in the lowest 20% have no access to information and the means to obtain family planning information and supplies.”
Romualdez also expressed hope and optimism that that the discussion on RH will take a turn toward civility and reason especially after the recent statement of His Holiness in the book Benedict XVI, Light of the World, where the Pope is quoted as saying that condom use is “a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.” This is in reference to the question on the prevention and spread of HIV infection.
Bishop Tano also expressed his disappointment saying that, " the RH Bill has taken too much time and resources. Last Congress, Legislators deliberately chose to dribble the ball and not shoot it."
Meanwhile, De Leon also said that the RH Bill has been around for 16 years and during this time, thousands of lives have been lost. “RH is not just about family planning. But the problem is anti-choice groups make it all about contraceptives. They also make it seem that Filipinos are not capable of making the right decisions if presented with options. I think that this is insulting.”
“We are challenging our lawmakers to stop playing politics and just do their jobs. Let the RH bill be deliberated and voted on. They owe us this as the true voting public.” De Leon said in closing.
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In a recent forum entitled, Search for Common Ground: Religion, State and the RH Bill organized by the Ateneo School of Law and the Forum for Family Planning and Development, religious leaders from some of the biggest faith based groups in the country came together to discuss the Reproductive Health Bill together with known advocates of the measure. The forum was held at the Ateneo School of Law on November 26.
Fr. Joaquin Bernas S.J. , Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo School of Law, joins other religious leaders which include Bishop Leo Alconga of the Philippines for Jesus Movement, Bishop Rodrido Tano of the Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools and Amina Rasul Bernardo of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy.
Facing the panel of religious leaders are some of the most staunch advocates of Reproductive Health such as Benjamin de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development and newly appointed POPCOM Commissioner; former health Secretary Dr. Alberto Romualdez and Cong. Kaka Bag-ao, author of one of six RH Bills filed in Congress.
All the religious groups in the panel expressed their support for the RH Bill. Even Fr. Joaquin Bernas said that in the last Congress, he was in favor of the RH Bill if some provisions are changed. But with the current Congress, he said that so many versions of the bill have been filed and he wonders which RH Bill is able to consider some issues he raised from the perspective of Catholics.
Dr. Alberto Romualdez , shared his disappointment with the current situation. “I am Catholic, raised and educated in Catholic schools. But when I was a medical student, I realized that not all Filipinos are treated equal especially by the health sector.” This thinking was further confirmed when he served as DOH Secretary. “I believe it is not right that there is a woman who has access to all information and services she needs while another doesn’t. Those women in the lowest 20% have no access to information and the means to obtain family planning information and supplies.”
Romualdez also expressed hope and optimism that that the discussion on RH will take a turn toward civility and reason especially after the recent statement of His Holiness in the book Benedict XVI, Light of the World, where the Pope is quoted as saying that condom use is “a first step in a movement toward a different way, a more human way, of living sexuality.” This is in reference to the question on the prevention and spread of HIV infection.
Bishop Tano also expressed his disappointment saying that, " the RH Bill has taken too much time and resources. Last Congress, Legislators deliberately chose to dribble the ball and not shoot it."
Meanwhile, De Leon also said that the RH Bill has been around for 16 years and during this time, thousands of lives have been lost. “RH is not just about family planning. But the problem is anti-choice groups make it all about contraceptives. They also make it seem that Filipinos are not capable of making the right decisions if presented with options. I think that this is insulting.”
“We are challenging our lawmakers to stop playing politics and just do their jobs. Let the RH bill be deliberated and voted on. They owe us this as the true voting public.” De Leon said in closing.
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010
RH Advocates Back Websites on Sexuality Education
“It is naïve of us to think that we can prevent young people from getting information about RH and sexuality concerns by not making it available in school. They are not deprived of information thanks to the internet and other media sources.” Mr. Ben de Leon, President of Forum for FP and Development said while promoting a website developed by Singaporean national Dr. Wei Siang Yu, medical doctor known as “Dr. Love” in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries.
The website is www.Sexxie.tv, an interactive, online education site that provides live chats, webinars and information about reproductive and sexuality health concerns for young people. “Sexxie.tv can be the hub where doctors and other health professionals can provide interactive sex education to the public. We hope to make it the default platform where the public, especially the youth, can obtain real-time sex education from health professionals. ” said Dr. Wei who also pioneered the world’s first wireless sex education initiative in Europe together with the Dutch Health Promotion Board in 2002.
“ I think that if parents can’t stop their children from accessing the internet, they will be more relieved to know about a website that is run by medical doctors who can provide confidential, medical advise for teens and parents as well.” De Leon said.
The group is also supporting the website www.teenfad.ph which is developed by the Foundation for Adolescent Development (FAD), a Filipino NGO who pioneered the Dial-A-Friend, telephone counseling for youth.
In 1972, the Education Department began its module on sex education for elementary and high school called Population Education (PopEd). This module is revised over the years to keep up with the times. However, since 2006, the Department of Education awaits the full run of their updated and age appropriate module on adolescent RH but strong opposition from Roman Catholic church leaders has caused the previous and current administrations to delay its implementation. But DepEd has managed to introduce the modules under its Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and in a number of pilot areas.
Forum for FP and Development and other Pro-RH NGOs have been supporting the new ARH modules of DepEd and cites national surveys such as the National and Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) and the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey (YAFSS) that show the very low knowledge of young Filipinos about sexuality and RH problems. According to a report of the Commission on Population, close to half of Filipino youth are unaware that it is possible for a woman to get pregnant in the first sexual encounter while YAFSS reveal that 72.7% of youth believe that AIDS is curable. “Even if sex education is part of the educational system, youth often have questions they are uncomfortable discussing in a face-to-face setting.” Dr. Wei added.
De Leon also shared that while the Roman Catholic leaders insist that it is the family and parents responsibility to provide sexuality education to their children, a mere 15.7 percent of youth aged 15-24 are able to talk freely about sex at home. “I believe that it takes a village to raise a child and as parents we need all the help we can get and together we can guide our children to make better choices.” he said in closing.
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Leaders and Prominent Personalities Hail President Noynoy Aquino for Pro-Choice Stance on Family Planning
In a letter to President Benigno Aquino III entitled “We Firmly Support PNOY,” former President Fidel Ramos and former Prime Minister Cesar Virata lead some of the most respected and admired men and women of the country in expressing their deep admiration and support for PNOY in taking a firm pro-choice position on family planning and responsible parenthood.
The group emphasized that the State obligation to provide reproductive health services and information must be fulfilled based on the government’s commitment to international human rights agreements. However, the group also said that, “While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.”
The letter also said “Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.”
Signatories of the letter also include Washington Z. Sycip, Mercedes B. Concepcion, Oscar M. Lopez, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Dante B. Canlas, Menardo R. Jimenez, Ma. Yolanda V. Ong, Leticia Ramos Shahani, Carmelita Villanueva, Perter L. Wallace, Benjamin D. De Leon, Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr., Corazon M. Raymundo, Eden R. Divinagracia, Cecilia Oreña Drilon, Felipe M. Medalla, Ernesto M. Pernia, Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan, Cyndy Tan-Jarabata, Tomas M. Osias, Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa, Margarito M. Teves and Elizabeth Eder Zobel.
The group also makes up the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO established in 2004 and driven by the membership’s advocacy for a population and development policy that puts reproductive health rights as a key element in development thereby ensuring improved health and quality of lives among Filipinos, a more stable economy and a sustainable natural environment for generations to come.
Here is the letter of the supporters of President Aquino:
October 11, 2010
H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President of the Philippines
Malacañang, Manila
Dear Mr. President,
In 1994, the Philippines joined 178 other nations in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The conference put the individual’s rights and needs at the center of its 20-year Programme of Action rather than achieving demographic targets. Nations also agreed that population and sustainable development are inextricably linked and committed to save the lives of women who die unnecessarily during pregnancy and childbirth. It advocated to make family planning universally available by 2015.
Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, which calls for the reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health by 2015.
With just five years to 2015 it is unfortunate that we continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. It is unfortunate that attempts to enact a law that could accelerate the country’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths and provide Filipino women and their families a better opportunity to improve their lives remains a dream.
While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.
Each day that the debates continues, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless everyday, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.
They have spoken in surveys borne out by the prestigious Social Weather Stations and the Pulse Asia. They want a law that would institute a family planning program providing couples information, services and commodities as well as a budget that would help them plan the size of their family and the spacing of their children.
They have spoken during the elections. Despite the Roman Catholic Church’s aggressive campaign against pro-RH candidates, the Filipino people – most of whom are Catholics – elected these candidates, including a President who has expressed his pro-choice stance on family planning.
It is about time that we heed the voice of the people. The reproductive health issue is not just about sex and contraceptives. More than anything, it is about saving the lives of mothers; mothers who make up the very fabric of society; the women who bore us. Saving lives should be a concern not only of lay people, but more so of the people who preach about the value of life.
We are for the quality of our population which heretofore our country will be most proud of.
Mr. President, we are one with you in your unequivocal support for families who want information and services on family planning and responsible parenthood. Likewise, we agree that neither the state nor religion should dictate the kind of family planning method once couples or individuals have decided to plan their families based on proper information.
Signed:
Eminent Persons
Fidel V. Ramos
Cesar EA Virata
Washington Z. Sycip
Mercedes B. Concepcion
Oscar M. Lopez
Loida Nicolas Lewis
Advisers
Dante B. Canlas
Menardo R. Jimenez
Ma. Yolanda V. Ong
Leticia Ramos Shahani
Carmelita Villanueva
Perter L. Wallace
Trustees
Benjamin D. De leon
Alberto G. Romualdez, jr.
Corazon M. Raymundo,
Eden R. Divinagracia
Cecilia Oreña Drilon
Felipe M. Medalla
Ernesto M. Pernia
Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
Tomas M. Osias,
Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa
Margarito M. Teves
Elizabeth Eder Zobel
The group emphasized that the State obligation to provide reproductive health services and information must be fulfilled based on the government’s commitment to international human rights agreements. However, the group also said that, “While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.”
The letter also said “Each day that the debates continue, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.”
Signatories of the letter also include Washington Z. Sycip, Mercedes B. Concepcion, Oscar M. Lopez, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Dante B. Canlas, Menardo R. Jimenez, Ma. Yolanda V. Ong, Leticia Ramos Shahani, Carmelita Villanueva, Perter L. Wallace, Benjamin D. De Leon, Alberto G. Romualdez, Jr., Corazon M. Raymundo, Eden R. Divinagracia, Cecilia Oreña Drilon, Felipe M. Medalla, Ernesto M. Pernia, Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan, Cyndy Tan-Jarabata, Tomas M. Osias, Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa, Margarito M. Teves and Elizabeth Eder Zobel.
The group also makes up the Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum), an NGO established in 2004 and driven by the membership’s advocacy for a population and development policy that puts reproductive health rights as a key element in development thereby ensuring improved health and quality of lives among Filipinos, a more stable economy and a sustainable natural environment for generations to come.
Here is the letter of the supporters of President Aquino:
WE FIRMLY SUPPORT P-NOY
October 11, 2010
H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President of the Philippines
Malacañang, Manila
Dear Mr. President,
In 1994, the Philippines joined 178 other nations in Cairo, Egypt for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The conference put the individual’s rights and needs at the center of its 20-year Programme of Action rather than achieving demographic targets. Nations also agreed that population and sustainable development are inextricably linked and committed to save the lives of women who die unnecessarily during pregnancy and childbirth. It advocated to make family planning universally available by 2015.
Again, at the Millennium Summit in 2000, the Philippines was one of the 189 countries that adopted the Millennium Development Goals, which calls for the reduction of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health by 2015.
With just five years to 2015 it is unfortunate that we continue to debate on the reproductive health issue. It is unfortunate that attempts to enact a law that could accelerate the country’s efforts to reduce maternal deaths and provide Filipino women and their families a better opportunity to improve their lives remains a dream.
While people are debating whether family planning is moral or immoral and whether government funding for contraceptives is right or wrong, the issue of maternal and infant deaths resulting from untimely and unwanted pregnancies is being left out.
Each day that the debates continues, 11 mothers die, leaving behind some 30 children motherless everyday, and putting the lives of their newborn infants at risk as well.
They have spoken in surveys borne out by the prestigious Social Weather Stations and the Pulse Asia. They want a law that would institute a family planning program providing couples information, services and commodities as well as a budget that would help them plan the size of their family and the spacing of their children.
They have spoken during the elections. Despite the Roman Catholic Church’s aggressive campaign against pro-RH candidates, the Filipino people – most of whom are Catholics – elected these candidates, including a President who has expressed his pro-choice stance on family planning.
It is about time that we heed the voice of the people. The reproductive health issue is not just about sex and contraceptives. More than anything, it is about saving the lives of mothers; mothers who make up the very fabric of society; the women who bore us. Saving lives should be a concern not only of lay people, but more so of the people who preach about the value of life.
We are for the quality of our population which heretofore our country will be most proud of.
Mr. President, we are one with you in your unequivocal support for families who want information and services on family planning and responsible parenthood. Likewise, we agree that neither the state nor religion should dictate the kind of family planning method once couples or individuals have decided to plan their families based on proper information.
Signed:
Eminent Persons
Fidel V. Ramos
Cesar EA Virata
Washington Z. Sycip
Mercedes B. Concepcion
Oscar M. Lopez
Loida Nicolas Lewis
Advisers
Dante B. Canlas
Menardo R. Jimenez
Ma. Yolanda V. Ong
Leticia Ramos Shahani
Carmelita Villanueva
Perter L. Wallace
Trustees
Benjamin D. De leon
Alberto G. Romualdez, jr.
Corazon M. Raymundo,
Eden R. Divinagracia
Cecilia Oreña Drilon
Felipe M. Medalla
Ernesto M. Pernia
Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan
Cyndy Tan-Jarabata
Tomas M. Osias,
Jose Miguel R. De La Rosa
Margarito M. Teves
Elizabeth Eder Zobel
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Reproductive Health: More than Family Planning
Present in the forum were Gabriella Partylist Representative Luz Ilagan, AKBAYAN Partylist Representative Kaka Bag-ao, Alternative Law Group Coordinator and the present lawyer of Carlos Celdran Attorney Marlon Manuel, Executive Director of Health Action Information Network and Nation Coordinator of Catholics for Reproductive Health Movement Dr. Edelina dela Paz, President of Forum for Family Planning and Development Mr. Benjamin de Leon, Executive Director of Linangan ng Kababaihan Dr. Junice Demeterio Melgar, and National President of Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines Beth Angsioco.
During the discussion it was highlighted that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is supporting the idea of having comprehensive maternal health care for the country. His support started after his return from the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit in New York, but a rumor came in that the Roman Catholic Church will excommunicate him if ever he supports the bill. This rumor leads to more heat up discussion between two parties the RH Advocates and those who oppose the bill. According to Gabriella Rep. Ilagan they wanted the church to consider the call of the majority that is now favoring the need of reproductive heath in the country which was seconded by Akbayan Rep Bag-ao who sends a letter to the President Aquino asking him to take the lead and certify the bills that pertains to the establishment of a national policy on reproductive health. Right now there are 6 RH related bills pending in the congress.
According to reports every day there are 11 mothers died during child birth and most of the cases is because of hemorrhage, infection and weak pregnancy, which according to Dr. dela Paz it can be prevented if only that mother has the choice. In areas like those in the poverty line, in every family the minimum number of child is at least 5 or more, and for some they reaches more than 8 or 9. This is where the need of family planning came in, but for others the natural method the Roman Catholic is proposing doesn’t work 100% that is why others takes the artificial contraception came in, and it was strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic.
Family Planning, this is how most supporters see the Reproductive Health, for those against it is abortion. Here are the ten elements of RH that all promote the health and welfare of each person according to Department of Health in 1998:
1. Family Planning
2. Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition
3. Adolescent Reproductive Health
4. Elimination of Violence Against Women
5. Prevention and Treatment of HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections
6. Prevention and Management of Post-Abortion Complications
7. Reproductive Tract Infections and Cancers and Other Gynecologic Conditions
8. Prevention and Treatment of Infertility and Sexual Disorders
9. Men’s Reproductive Health
10. Educatio0n and Counseling on Sexuality and Sexual Health
Reproductive Health is giving everyone a choice, according to Benjamin de Leon, it is a matter or right and RH it’s a matter of health for women where people had spoken in various surveys that there is a need of comprehensive reproductive health. De Leon statement was supported by Beth Angsioco who is a good friend of Celdran and according to her its about time to passed the RH Bill as she shows the T-Shirt with a DAMASO sign which will be sold in support of Celdran’s case and to the RH Bill campaign.
***
Editor’s Note:
It’s been a year since I show my support to the reproductive health bill, and sadly I saw its death on the last congress and still I put my hope on our congressmen this year that they will pass this. Our country needs a comprehensive maternal health care that will protect women from maternal mortality and also will answer child mortality and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexual transmitted infection. The sad part of this campaign is that the Roman Catholic hierarchy is opposing the said possible solution that will answer those problems in the community. I am sure that they saw families in their parochial where most of those in the poverty have more than five children per family, where parents could not support them properly and some mothers die during pregnancy. Let me end this part with my stand on RH, no mothers should die in giving birth, we should have a comprehensive maternal healthcare that requires both local and national government to establish health centers in all baranggays especially in the rural areas to take care of women and men who needs reproductive health care, and also for children, RH education doesn’t talks about things that most conservative is thinking but giving them the idea on their reproductive right and how to take care and be responsible. If only people should broaden their perspective and we will lessen early pregnancy, maternal and child mortality and prevent the spread of sexual transmitted infection. I am Pro-LIFE and Pro-CHOICE.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Consensus Bill on Population: Isang sesyon mula at para sa Pinoy!
Kung usaping programang pampopulasyon ang pag-uusapan, ilang dekada na ang nakalilipas mula nang huli itong marebyu at napagtuunan ng pansin. Sa ilalim ng iba’t-ibang administrasyon, malinaw ang pagpapahalagang itinutuon ng kung sino mang nasa posisyon sa sandaling makita ang mga programang pampopulasyon na nailatag sa naturang panahon.
Ang grupo ng Mulat Pinoy ay binuo upang iulat ang mga impormasyon ukol sa iba’t ibang isyung ating kinakaharap lalo na sa usaping populasyon at pagbabago. Nais din ng grupo na bigyan ng kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at makabuluhang talakayan ang mga Pinoy sa tulong na rin ng Internet. Naglalayon itong malaman at ipaalam ang sasabihin ng mga kandidato sa bawat isyung kinakaharap ng bansa, lalong higit sa usaping Population and Development (PopDev). Kabilang dito ang mga Kapihan Sessions kung saan ang mga eksperto sa usaping PopDev, maging mga personalidad sa larangan ng media, ay inaanyayahan upang ibahagi ang mga kaalaman, karanasan, at repleksyon sa pagkakabit ng usaping ito sa iba’t ibang perspektibo. Sa darating na Oktubre 9, 2010, isang sesyon ang itinalaga sa upang sagutin ang mga katanungan sa nakaambang paglatag ng Consensus Bill on Population na pangungunahan nila dating senador Vicente Paterno, na siyang pinuno ng Joint Steering Committee ng CBP, kasama si David Balangue ng Makati Business Club (MBC).
Sinasabi na ang populasyon ang siyang tinitingnang pangunahing elemento kung saan nakaugnay ang iba pang mga sistema tulad ng edukasyon, pangangalakal, ekonomiya, kalusugan at iba pang mga sektor.
Sa bansang tulad ng Pilipinas, ang populasyon ay isa sa mga maiinit na isyu, katulad ng mga panguhanahing pangangailangan, pagkain, pabahay, edukasyon na hindi pantay-pantay na natatamasa ng isang karaniwang pinoy. Ang iba pang panlipunang kalagayan tulad ng kahirapan, kagutuman, usaping gender, at pangangalaga ng kalikasan ay nakaangkla sa paglaki ng populasyon sa isang bansa.
Ang Kapihan Session sa pamumuno ng Mulat Pinoy at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) at ng Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) ay gaganapin sa ika-9 ng Oktubre, 2010 sa ganap na ika-3:30 hanggang ika-6 ng hapon sa Annabel’s Restaurant, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin lamang ang Mulat Pinoy website (www.mulatpinoy.ph) o ang Facebook, Multiply at iba pang social media network accounts nito.
Ang grupo ng Mulat Pinoy ay binuo upang iulat ang mga impormasyon ukol sa iba’t ibang isyung ating kinakaharap lalo na sa usaping populasyon at pagbabago. Nais din ng grupo na bigyan ng kapangyarihan sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at makabuluhang talakayan ang mga Pinoy sa tulong na rin ng Internet. Naglalayon itong malaman at ipaalam ang sasabihin ng mga kandidato sa bawat isyung kinakaharap ng bansa, lalong higit sa usaping Population and Development (PopDev). Kabilang dito ang mga Kapihan Sessions kung saan ang mga eksperto sa usaping PopDev, maging mga personalidad sa larangan ng media, ay inaanyayahan upang ibahagi ang mga kaalaman, karanasan, at repleksyon sa pagkakabit ng usaping ito sa iba’t ibang perspektibo. Sa darating na Oktubre 9, 2010, isang sesyon ang itinalaga sa upang sagutin ang mga katanungan sa nakaambang paglatag ng Consensus Bill on Population na pangungunahan nila dating senador Vicente Paterno, na siyang pinuno ng Joint Steering Committee ng CBP, kasama si David Balangue ng Makati Business Club (MBC).
Sinasabi na ang populasyon ang siyang tinitingnang pangunahing elemento kung saan nakaugnay ang iba pang mga sistema tulad ng edukasyon, pangangalakal, ekonomiya, kalusugan at iba pang mga sektor.
Sa bansang tulad ng Pilipinas, ang populasyon ay isa sa mga maiinit na isyu, katulad ng mga panguhanahing pangangailangan, pagkain, pabahay, edukasyon na hindi pantay-pantay na natatamasa ng isang karaniwang pinoy. Ang iba pang panlipunang kalagayan tulad ng kahirapan, kagutuman, usaping gender, at pangangalaga ng kalikasan ay nakaangkla sa paglaki ng populasyon sa isang bansa.
Ang Kapihan Session sa pamumuno ng Mulat Pinoy at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Probe Media Foundation, Inc. (PMFI) at ng Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD) ay gaganapin sa ika-9 ng Oktubre, 2010 sa ganap na ika-3:30 hanggang ika-6 ng hapon sa Annabel’s Restaurant, Tomas Morato, Quezon City. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, bisitahin lamang ang Mulat Pinoy website (www.mulatpinoy.ph) o ang Facebook, Multiply at iba pang social media network accounts nito.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Catholic Group, NGOs Laud PNOY’s Pro-Family Planning Position
“We are pleased that PNOY has unwavered in his support for family planning. This is a clear pro-women stand of the President and we support him.” This is a statement of Ben de Leon, President of the Forum for FP and Development and member of the Catholics for RH Movement (C4RH) an alliance of Catholics from various parts of the country supportive of Reproductive Health and family planning.
During his US trip President Aquino addresses the Filipino community in San Francisco and reiterates his position on responsible parenthood which is to give the couples the power to decide on the methods of family planning that will work for them and that government will make sure that services are available. With this statement, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed their disappointment.
“The CBCP said that they are disappointed with PNOY. But as a Catholic, I express my admiration to the President. The poor health status of Filipinos especially of women has a lot to do with the lack of political will of leaders for many years.” Mr. Jeff Y. Fuentes, member of the C4RH in Davao City and the Population Program Officer of the City Population Division also expressed his support to the President.
Two cabinet members of the current administration are also very vocal about their support for reproductive health (RH) services that will help bring down the high maternal and newborn deaths in the country. During the Women Deliver national conference on maternal and newborn health care, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said that “RH is not hard to sell to President Aquino.” Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona also maintains the commitment of the DOH to address the high maternal mortality of the country and recognize that comprehensive RH service is important to help reduce maternal deaths. Currently, 11 mothers die everyday due to pregnancy and childbirth related complications. Reduction of maternal deaths is among the commitment of the country to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Participating in the MDG Summit is among the reasons for PNOY’s recent US trip.
“I believe that the President should not fear the Catholic church. Afterall, the CBCP is not the Catholic church. While more than 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, majority of Filipinos support RH and FP according to numerous surveys conducted by Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.” De Leon said.
During his US trip President Aquino addresses the Filipino community in San Francisco and reiterates his position on responsible parenthood which is to give the couples the power to decide on the methods of family planning that will work for them and that government will make sure that services are available. With this statement, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed their disappointment.
“The CBCP said that they are disappointed with PNOY. But as a Catholic, I express my admiration to the President. The poor health status of Filipinos especially of women has a lot to do with the lack of political will of leaders for many years.” Mr. Jeff Y. Fuentes, member of the C4RH in Davao City and the Population Program Officer of the City Population Division also expressed his support to the President.
Two cabinet members of the current administration are also very vocal about their support for reproductive health (RH) services that will help bring down the high maternal and newborn deaths in the country. During the Women Deliver national conference on maternal and newborn health care, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman said that “RH is not hard to sell to President Aquino.” Department of Health Secretary Enrique Ona also maintains the commitment of the DOH to address the high maternal mortality of the country and recognize that comprehensive RH service is important to help reduce maternal deaths. Currently, 11 mothers die everyday due to pregnancy and childbirth related complications. Reduction of maternal deaths is among the commitment of the country to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Participating in the MDG Summit is among the reasons for PNOY’s recent US trip.
“I believe that the President should not fear the Catholic church. Afterall, the CBCP is not the Catholic church. While more than 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, majority of Filipinos support RH and FP according to numerous surveys conducted by Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.” De Leon said.
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