Advocate says RH law guarantees govt will provide family planning services

According to former congresswoman and Reproductive Health Law advocate Risa Hontiveros, the RH law is necessary because it guarantees that government health services will provide certain reproductive health assistance, regardless of the personal beliefs of the Philippine president and local government executives. “Kailangan natin 'yung batas kahit mayroon ng ilang maternal services na pinabibigay ang DOH ngayon para di maging depende sa personal na pagtingin ng sitting president sa usapin ng RH 'yung pinoprovide na family planning services ng DOH,” Hontiveros explained on GMA 7's “24-Oras” Friday. Furthermore, the law recognizes that reproductive health rights begin, not during pregnancy, but earlier, when planning for a family. Among the services the RH law guarantees is that married couples will be given complete information on family planning, from natural methods to contraceptives. Also, government health centers will provide couples free contraceptives such as birth control pills and condoms. Minors, however, will need parental consent before they can be provided reproductive health services. Previously, some local government units had prohibited public health centers from providing contraceptives, a service is now guaranteed by the RH Law. The law also allows the teaching of sex education in schools. — Andrei Medina/DVM, GMA News