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CBCP execs blast Baguio college's mandatory pregnancy test


A Catholic bishop on Thursday said that the school policy imposing mandatory pregnancy test among female students was "overstepping" the role of the parents.

“I see this matter about pregnancy as a concern of parents,” said Bishop Roberto Mallari of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education.

“I think that they should ask also the opinion of parents regarding the imposition of this policy,” he added.

On the other hand, Fr. Jerome Secillano, Executive Secretary of the CBCP's Committee on Public Affairs, said the policy could also compromise the students' rights.

“What has it to do with education? Is it meant to monitor a student’s performance? At the very least, it is not a sound policy and it may even infringe on the student’s rights,” he said.

The statements came after Pines City Colleges' memo for mandatory pregnancy tests circulated online.

Female students from its Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing were required to undergo such test which will be added to their school fees.

The Gabriela Women's Party and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) both condemned the school policy, citing the Magna Carta of Women.

The Baguio-based learning institution earlier maintained it would not abolish such policy as it was meant to protect their students.

“Pines City Colleges abides by its policy of pregnancy tests for female students who are enrolling in any subject that would endanger both mother and child. We believe it is a policy protective of our students while they are in our care and are deployed to internship programs in hospitals and to clinical practice,” the school said in a statement.

“It is a policy agreed to by our students upon their enrollment in this institution,” it added. — Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News

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