Face the Facts, Pass the RH Bill

Worth noting: “Experts couldn’t say whether more liberal laws led to fewer procedures, but said good access to birth control in those countries resulted in fewer unwanted pregnancies.”

A video by BBC.

BAGUIO CITY- Young Filipinos have been resorting to a concoction of detergent or bath soap plus cola drink, which they consume after engaging in premarital sex because they believe that the mixture can prevent the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections, a doctor revealed in this year’s national school health and nutrition congress here.

RH Bill not a priority? For how long? And how much longer do we let this go on?

A Global AIDS Report released recently by the UNAIDS observed there has been a 25 percent decline in HIV infections and AIDS-related illness and deaths, and that countries who have given enough funding and attention to the problem have stabilized the rise, spread and deaths caused by the virus.

Merceditas Apilado, a UNAIDS social mobilization adviser, said the Philippines is “one of the exceptions …and the number of HIV infections and AIDS cases in the country continues to rise, and not lessen.”

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said deliberations on House Bill (HB) 4244, or the “Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2011,” will have to drag on to next year due to the number of congressmen who want to debate on the measure.

“Don’t expect that this [the RH bill] will be passed this year. I’m just being honest,” he said at a press briefing, adding that more than 20 House members are still on the list of interpellators despite the fact that plenary debates on the bill started last March.

“We have to consider the legislative mill… Itong RH, in my experience as a floor leader, it’s not really time na pagbotohan ito,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales, however, said HB 4244 will be put to a vote by next year.

Stalled again.

But when is it a good time to vote for this bill?