sexandsensibilities.com

Supporters are jubilant on the approval of the much clamored reproductive health (RH) bill by the House Committee on Rules.  The consolidated version, now House Bill 4244 or the “Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2011,” has just been unanimously approved by the Committee and is set for plenary sponsorship on March 1.

According to reports the proceedings went fast and smoothly and there was no objection even from the anti-reproductive health lawmakers who were present when Committee chair Neptali Gonzales II called for the approval of HB 4244. Ramon San Pascual, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) Executive Director explains, “RH and responsible parenthood (RP) bill may be a highly debated measure, but when the time to vote for the measure comes, it will surely enjoy the support of the majority of the lawmakers, as evidenced by its passage on the Committees on Population and Family Relations and Appropriation.”

“What is glaring is the fact that the RH bill was passed with an overwhelming approval in both committees,” San Pascual said. He said further that supporters appreciate the efforts and determination of pro-RH lawmakers and are thankful to the firm leadership of the chairs of the different committees that tackled the bill. “Everybody knows that the RH bill was already subjected to intense discussions in Congress for the past ten years and it’s now the right time to allow each member to vote on this very important piece of legislation. I guess the leaders in Congress are aware of this, which explains why the bill is moving swiftly in the legislative mill. Strong public opinion is calling Congress to end the impasse. We are confident that our political leaders in the legislature and the executive will finally act in favor of the RH bill,” San Pascual explained.

“We understand that the battle for the RH bill is not yet over and that the opposition is dogged to exhaust all means to block the approval of the bill. We hope that legislators who are opposed to RH will carry a principled fight during the plenary deliberations and not resort to delaying tactics, which they employed in previous Congresses. Why should they be afraid to put the bill into vote if it’s true that have the numbers?” he added. House Bill 4244 is the consolidated version of House Bills 96 by Rep. Edcel Lagman, HB 101 by Rep. Janette L. Garin, HB 513 by Reps. Kaka Bag-Ao and Walden Bello, HB 1160 by Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, HB 1520 by Rep. Augusto Syjuco and 3387 by Reps. Luz Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus.

Taken from a Press Release provided by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD)