DepEd still undecided on DOH’s proposed condom distribution

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones on Sunday said her department was still undecided on the Department of Health's (DOH) proposal to distribute condoms in schools.

Briones said "top level" talks within the Department of Health has been ongoing since the DOH made the highly-controversial proposal.

"That is a very sensitive issue. . . Hindi sila tatayo diyan sa pinto at bawat pumasok ay bibigyan kagaya ng mga nagbibigay ng mga leaflets sa shopping center, hindi ganun. . . At hindi ka magdi-distribute kung walang counselling, kailangan may magpapaliwanag. It's not going to be a mass event," Briones said in a recent media forum.

In case the DepEd gives the green-light to the condom distribution, Briones said it will be done only in junior high and senior high schools.

"Most likely, it will be at the level of junior high and senior high school na makaka-discern at makakaintindi na yung mga bata. . . Siguro I was 11 or 12, our teacher at that time was already teaching us about reproductive health," Briones pointed out.

The DepEd said that the distribution of the condom should not be an "instrument for inapt promotion of promiscuity and debasement of moral values."

It said teachers will need to be trained on how to properly explain to the students the distribution of condoms and "the many repercussions of pre-marital sex."

"Ang gusto talaga nila ay ma-increase yung awareness sa AIDS, kasi tumataas ang level ng teenage pregnancy at HIV/AIDS. Our next generation is really at risk," Briones said, referring to the primary goal of the DOH's proposal. —ALG, GMA News