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‘IKAW NA BA?’

Education best solution to PHL’s population issue —Leni Robredo


The population issue confronting the Philippines could best be addressed by educating and empowering citizens, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo said.

During an interview with Mike Enriquez over dzBB radio Monday for the "Ikaw Na Ba?... The Vice Presidential Interview" program, Robredo was asked if she is in favor of artifical birth control methods.

In response, the lawmaker said she believes access to education would enable people to plan their families better.

“Kapag mas educated, mas nakakaintindi kung ano ang implications [ng pagkakaroon ng maraming anak]. Magkakaroon ng mas maraming ginagawa, magiging mas productive sila para mag-hanapbuhay,” she said.

"Para sa akin, dapat very active ang gobyerno sa pag-engage sa mga tao,” Robredo added.

Responsible Parenthood

Despite the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act in 2012, reproductive health (RH) remains a controversial issue in the country.

A predominantly Catholic nation, Catholic leaders have been vocal about the RH law which promotes both artificial and natural family planning methods. The Church only advocates for natural means of family planning.

Robredo is the vice presidential bet of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, who is known for his pro-RH stance.

In the House of Representatives, Robredo is a member of the committees on the welfare of children and women and gender equality, among others.

Robredo is the author of House Bill PS0015 where she stressed "the need to value and help women, specifically the marginalized and silent ones who continue to struggle with poverty, illiteracy, sexual harassment, discrimination, and trafficking in the poorest of the regions of the country."

She asked that government funds be allocated gender development projects, citing Republic Act No. 9710 (Magna Carta of Women).

—with Veronica Pulumbarit/KG, GMA News

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