The Philippine Reproductive Health (RH) bill was initiated by House Bill No. 96 or the Reproductive Health Act and Population and Development Act of 2010 authored by Albay 1st district representative Edcel Lagman, and Senate Bill No. 2378 or the Reproductive Health Act introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. The aim of these proposals was to adopt an international consensus of promoting reproductive health and responsible family planning of citizens through awareness on birth control and intrauterine devices (IUDs) with the use of health centers, public and private schools as media of information dissemination. The cause of this goal was the alarming status of Philippines being the “12th most populous nation in the world today” and the “fertility rate of Filipino women being at the upper bracket of 206 countries” as shown by the most recent surveys on overpopulation. This bill has become the subject of extreme controversy among public and private sectors and legislators which continues up to the present.
As an educated professional, I believe that RH bill is one of the most important proposals that legislators have introduced to the Philippines. Specifically, it offers a resolve to the exacerbation of poverty which is a relative effect of rapid population growth, lack of government capacity to utilize labor force to produce economic efficiency and, broadening gap between social clusters. Generally, it promotes the quality of life when successful.
Survey statistics which show that the Philippines is top 12 being an overpopulated nation is distressing. This reflects a lot of scenario; one of which is that the population growth of the Filipinos is very high where birth rate is far greater than the death rate causing the fast pace of population which in turn, predicts a setting population control by the government at a minimum priority. With rapid population growth poverty aggravates, essentially because families, especially large families, cannot cope up with the demands of living. The minimum daily wage of the average Filipino worker is P404.00 but this is not enough for a family of more than four considering the high prices of commodities, education, electricity and, transportation expenses. RH bill would set an ideal family size which would alleviate the poor response of Filipinos to the cost of living. Another scenario that this overpopulation fact indicates is that the economy would not be able to sustain its people unless the country resorts to using its labor capital to a maximum potential and establish workforce efficiency. So far, job unemployment rate in the Philippines is high, inflation is high, foreign investment is low and, college educational success is low; thus, overpopulation exacerbates poverty. The third and last scenario is that this ranking promotes civil resentment towards government programs and projects which creates a lot of issues and unrest in the country. Overpopulation creates factions among the social classes; it promotes a widening nominal and economic gap between the rich and the poor and creates a more disintegrated society because the more poor people there are, the more elitist the rich people becomes. Establishing a harmonious society through bridging the gap between the poor and the rich becomes stiffer which leads to a social-class war.
Furthermore, I understand the very conservative position of the Church and its allies regarding the issue. However, it makes me think why the Church is strongly and dynamically involved in political affairs where its stand should only be restricted to religious issues. At one time I heard that the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines would excommunicate President Benigno Aquino should he approve the bill. What is happening? This question gives me an idea to formulate theoretical inclinations. Why is CBCP so powerful in influencing people? Why are Catholic countries, such as Mexico, Brazil and other Latin American countries poor? Hence, why are nations, especially the Western and European countries, with diverse religious beliefs economically advanced? Is there a significant difference in the religious direction of a country and its economic status?
Birth control and contraception do not deter the ends of Christianity; they prevent the birth of offspring due to a rational reason of improving the quality of life of Christians. In my opinion, this is a logical basis of common good which the Church stresses. The RH bill does not promote abortion which is anti-Church; it rather wants to help the Filipino Christians, and the whole citizens, happy.
I strongly support the imposition of RH Bill in the Philippine society. Religious and conservative tolerance is imperative if Philippines wants to give its people a brighter future. Literacy on birth control and family planning is very crucial in setting a society which is more civilized and more responsive to the challenges of economic upheaval.
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