CHR lauds Duterte's EO on reproductive health

The Commission on Human Rights on Monday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing an executive order providing women a full range of access fto responsible parenthood and reproductive health care services.

Acting as Gender and Development Ombud, the CHR said Executive Order No. 12 sends a signal that the Duterte administration supports Republic Act No. 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

"The issuance sends a clear signal that this administration supports the full implementation of the RPRH law and shall not tolerate acts and practices which may deny women access to a full range of responsible parenthood and reproductive health care services, including family planning methods, supplies, and commodities," the CHR said.

On January 9, Duterte signed EO 12 which aims to "intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary to attain and sustain 'zero unmet need for modern family planning' for all poor households by 2018, and all of Filipinos." 

However, the CHR said the RPRH law still faces many challenges despite the Supreme Court ruling over its constitutionality in 2014. 

"The Commission's National Inquiry on RH conducted last 2016 showed the uneven support for the implementation of the law, the existence of legal and policy barriers to its implementation, and the continuing barriers faced by service providers and women in the marginalized sector," the CHR said.

Meanwhile, the CHR said it hopes the EO of Duterte would advance the repeal and amendment of reproductive health policies that deny women access to various services and information.

"With this exercise of political will from the Chief Executive, the Commission looks forward to the repeal and amendment of discriminatory policies and practices limiting and denying women's access to RH services and information," the commission said.

The commission added it looks forward in seeing more support in the RPRH law not only in Sorsogon City, but also across all local government units.

"The Commission looks forward to changes in the situation of women in Sorsogon City, and for more sustained commitment and support of government service providers and local government units in the implementation of the RPRH law," the CHR said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/JST, GMA News