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My englcom argumentative essay. The
Reproductive Health Bill and Population Development Act of
2008 (hereafter RH Bill) is an act providing for 
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was primarily authored by Albay First District Representative
Edcel Lagman and is now co-authored by about 130 more
lawmakers. The bill covers the following aspects: "information
and access to natural and modern family planning; maternal,
infant and child health and nutrition; promotion of breast
feeding; prevention of abortion and management of post-
abortion complications; adolescent and youth health;
prevention and management of reproductive tract infections,
H
ADS and sexually transmitted diseases; elimination of
violence against women; counseling on sexuality and sexual
and reproductive health; treatment of breast and reproductive
tract cancers; male involvement and participation in
reproductive health; prevention and treatment of infertility;
and reproductive health education for the youth." (House Bill
No. 5043 Sections -, 2008) More than a year has passed
since the bill's original authorship, but it still remains a
controversial issue in the legislative assembly. Consequently,
it has also sparked debates among economists, sociologists,
health experts, religious organizations and ordinary members
of the community. This is why it is only appropriate for me, a
concerned student and Filipino citizen, to offer my assessment.
After reading the full text of the bill and the opposing
arguments among different sectors,  am now brought to an
unwavering stand. 
   

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 because as clearly stated in its policies and
objectives, it promotes awareness and education, ensures
public health and disease prevention and enables the
government to play its role in the overall welfare of the
citizens. One of the reasons why our countrymen still has
not experienced the intended benefits of this bill is the
continuing campaign of the Catholic Church to discredit it.
According to them, the promotion of artificial contraceptives
and sex education will eventually lead to threatening accounts
of divorce, euthanasia, abortion, total contraception methods
and homosexual marriage (D.E.A.T.H.). n an interview with
Catholic-run eritas 846 Radio, Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines' (CBCP) Commision on Family Life Chairperson
and Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, counts that the bill
is ³anti-poor and anti-life´. According to him, human resources
are a great advantage. The government should focus on
programs that would make them useful and productive.
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   These can
all be avoided upon the approval of the RH Bill, which, as we
will soon after see, is not just pro-life but pro-quality
life. First of all, the RH Bill  
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 One of the key components of this bill is the
advocacy of family-planning for couples. This way, they can
decide on the proper timing, spacing and number of their
children, according to what their family can support. ncluded
in this clause is the recommendation of the ideal family size to
have two children only, but it is still for the family to decide for
their own welfare. This will inhibit the rapid growth of our
population, and all the negative implications of this on our
society as a whole. Aside from this, campaigns and counseling
will be funded in order to provide parents with appropriate
methodologies and information regarding sexuality and sexual
health. Men and women alike will be more aware of their rights
and responsibilities, and will therefore become equal
contributors to their families and communities. Even the youth
at their curious, growing years will benefit, as sex education
will be incorporated in their school curriculum. This will ensure
that their questions will be properly addressed, their changing
bodies will be better understood and take care of, and their
future decisions will be based on the rational teachings
inculcated onto them early on. n effect, this can also prevent
cases of unplanned pregnancies, sexual abuse and bodily
disorders, all because the citizens are fully equipped with the
right information. Another objective of this bill is 



 
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. Researches show
that only 60 percent of the births in the Philippines are
properly supervised by a skilled attendant, and some 160
women die every 100,000 births. (United Nations Population
Fund, 2009) Through this bill, proper funding will be allotted to
ensure the accessibility of vaccinations, consultations and
safer deliveries from professional midwives, especially in rural
areas. This will decrease infant mortality rates and other
deaths caused by complications during pregnancy. After the
passage of this bill, gynaecological and reproductive tract
diseases will also be given attention and treatment. Citizens
will be assisted with proper diagnosis, treatment and
prevention. º

 




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mobile health centers and campaigns, they will be properly
educated by health experts. Another controversial clause is
about the prevention and management of abortion and its
complications. Abortion is undeniably present in the black
market, but with proper treatment and information against it,
it will less likely prevail. Lastly, infertility and sexual
dysfunctions will also be solved. There are couples who want
to have a family but cannot, and through modern medicine
and technology, they can now gain access to this
possibility. The third and most time-appropriate advantage
of the RH Bill is the fact that 

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 As
expected by the citizens, the government must be the first to
see the realities of our society today. People are having
unprotected sex. Couples need effective contraceptives.
Parents are not ready for ten children that they cannot feed,
clothe and send to school. The youth learn about sex from
incompetent sources like the internet, teen shows and their
³experienced´ peers. People are getting sick and spreading
diseases without them knowing or admitting it. t is
appropriate for a central body such as the government to
intervene. They are not being intrusive; they are only ensuring
that they are able to seek and address our best interests. 
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 s this not what we need? s this not what we
want from our officials? Evidently, it must be. According to the
Third Quarter 2008 Social Weather Stations Report, 71 percent
favor passage of the RH Bill. That is seven out of ten Filipinos,
Catholics and non-Catholics alike.   

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 t is true that the RH Bill
does not directly solve poverty or protect us from killings and
wars. However, it still brings us one step closer to our goal.
With the passage of this bill, we can be rich with information.
We can be safe from health risks. 
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 Although the
bill is strongly discouraged by the Catholic church, we must
not be easily convinced by misinformation. As responsible
citizens, we must look deep into present issues and evaluate
how it affects us individually and as a whole. We may see that
the realities today encompass our traditional beliefs; however,

 



 
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 This way,
we can face our present problems with modern, and possibly
more effective solutions.Ê