NGO CHALLENGES LEGISLATORS TO VOTE FOR THE RH BILL NOW

Various NGOs led by Dr. Eden Divinagracia, executive director of PNGOC calls on legislators to stop the delay and vote for the passage of the RH bill. The women and men of the 15th Congress must be reminded that it is their responsibility to resolve the standoff and allow each member to vote on the bill. We cannot deny the Filipino people of their right to comprehensive reproductive health services that will save the lives of women and children. Congress must vote and pass the RH Bill now.

Despite the endorsement of the president and other political leaders to prioritize the bill, and the high public support as proven by national surveys, including the latest from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last June, the bill continues to suffer delays due to stiff opposition from leaders of the Catholic Church and their supporters in the legislature.

“Many lives of poor women are dying due to lack of information and services which should be given to them by the government if there is only a national policy on Reproductive Health.” Said by Dr. Divinagracia.

She added “I could not see why some of our legislators are afraid of the bill; do they not see the long term effect of having a bill that can help save lives of mothers and children; do they not see the importance of having a law that can help couples plan their family; the RP-RH bill is PRO-Women, PRO-Poor and PRO-Quality of life that I and my organization is pushing for”.

PNGOC believes it is the government’s role to provide programs on reproductive health information and services and having a national policy can address this critical role of the government.

PNGOC which is composed of 95 national and local based NGOs will continue to promote to all its networks of NGOs, partner organizations and communities nationwide to support for a Reproductive Health Care Act. Dr. Eden Divinagracia, Executive Director. Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc.