There’s a growing debate on the proposed “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008” (House Bill No. 5043). In essence, the propose law mandates the Population Commission (POPCOM) to be the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for effective implementation of the law. It provides for the creation of an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions, ensuring the availability of hospital-based family planning methods such as tubal ligation, vasectomy and intrauterine device insertion in all national and local government hospitals, except in specialty hospitals.
The proposed law also provides for a mandatory age-appropriate Reproductive Health Education starting from Grade 5 to Fourth Year High School to develop the youth into responsible adults. (The complete Fact Sheet and Explanatory Note are here, while the full text of House Bill No. 5043 is here.)
These are the basic facts on what the bill is all about. Of course, there are opinions for and against the bill. What say you? Let’s listen to your comments (please use the comment section below).
