Advocacy groups optimistic of the New Year for the passage of the RH Bill

This year 2012, civil society organizations (CSOs) are looking forward to the final deliberation and immediate approval of the Reproductive Health Bill in both Houses.  In previous years, deliberations were derailed due to various issues such as the filing of impeachment case against Chief Justice Renato Corona and the delaying tactics of anti-RH legislators of interpolating same questions over and over again.

The Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare Inc. (PNGOC) a national network of 95 member NGOs all over the country, is optimistic that with President Benigno Aquino III’s support the RH Bill will be discussed fully on the floor and eventually passed into law.

Dr. Eden Divinagracia, PNGOC Executive Director said “I am hoping that congress gives ample time in deliberating the RH bill.  It is more than 10 years since the first RH bill had been pending in Congress.”  

As session resumes on January 16, 2012; PNGOC together with its partner organizations such as the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), The Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), The Forum for Family Planning and Development (FORUM) among others are calling on all legislators to be present during the resumption of session so that the RH Bill can be put into the priority agenda and voted upon by congressional representatives and by the senators.

PNGOC will continue to advocate to all its networks of NGOs, partner organizations and communities nationwide for support for a Reproductive Health Care Act for it believes that this legislated policy will provide stability of reproductive health programs, regardless of who sits as President, Cabinet or Local Government official.

Contact:

Dr. Eden Divinagracia, Executive Director

Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc.

Tel Nos. 852-1898; 833-4067