1. Republic Health Act 10354 also known as The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 states that it “…guarantees universal access to medically-safe, non-abortifacient, effective, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies which do not prevent the implantation of a fertilized ovum as determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and relevant information and education thereon according to the priority needs of women, children and other underprivileged sectors, giving preferential access to those...who shall be voluntary beneficiaries of reproductive health care, services and supplies for free.” To summarize, this allows everyone to have access to free and FDA approved contraceptives. Despite having been signed as a law on July 23, 2012, there have been gaps in its implementation especially in information dissemination and sex education. A part of this law states that comprehensive sex education (CSE) should be integrated in the country’s school curriculum so as to promote responsible sexual activities especially to teens. This is of particular importance given that in 2019, 495 live births daily in adolescents aged 10 to 19 were recorded. While there are multiple social and economic layers that lead to teenage pregnancies, for the purpose of this activity, two will be highlighted: (1) the department of Education has not been able to integrate a CSE in the curriculum that meets the minimum standard, and (2) unequal power dynamics between young girls and older men. For the former, a report providing an update on the implementation of the RH law in the Philippines states that a CSE standard that is science-based, culturally competent, and age-appropriate has not been adopted. From personal experiences, indeed basic education provided me with the scientific knowledge in the process and stages of conception and the parts of the reproductive system. However, there were little to no highlight on preventing unwanted pregnancies. Know-hows in contraceptions such as how and when to take contraceptives pills, and how to put on a condom were not taught. On the other hand, according to the United Nations Population Fund Philippines (UNFPA), only 3% of the adolescents who got pregnant in 2019 were by men the same age. This may mean, considerably older men had the upper hand and strong influence in the pregnancy of those teens. This is a small opening to a huge problem in women and child abuse in the country.
Philippines is undoubtedly a highly religious country with 81% being Roman Catholics (recorded in 2003). With this it was no surprise the the Catholic Church put in some actions and statements opposing the then Reproductive Health Bill in a bid to protect unborn children; this ultimately delayed its implementation. In 2015, religious groups petitioned to halt the release of contraceptives claiming that they were abortifacient. FDA had to pull out its certification on contraceptives until it confirmed months later that the products were tested and proved to be non-abortifacient. They later filed an appeal for reconsideration that was denied. Although there have been no legal pursuits to delay the provisions of the RH law, the social influence of the Catholic Church and its beliefs poses as a huge factor in Filipinos’ engagement in the concept of family planning.
2. As of 2010, the top 3 causes of maternal mortality according to DOH are the ff.:
- Complications related to pregnancy during labor, delivery and puerperium
- Hypertension that leads to complications
- Postpartum hemorrhage
On the other hand, the top 3 causes of maternal morbidity are:
- Hemorrhage
- Infection
- Unsafe abortion
References:
- Department of Health Philippines. (2020). Maternal Deaths By Main Cause | Department of Health website. Doh.gov.ph. https://doh.gov.ph/Statistics/Maternal-Deaths-By-Main-Cause
- Geronimo, J. (2016, July 9). Sex education in PH schools still lacking – UNFPA. RAPPLER. https://www.rappler.com/nation/139118-sex-education-philippines-unfpa/
- Gita-Carlos, R. A. (2021, June 29). Addressing teenage pregnancies declared as “national priority.” Www.pna.gov.ph. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1145373
- Miller, J. (2019). Religion in the Philippines. Asia Society. https://asiasociety.org/education/religion-philippines
- Philippine Commission on Women. (2012, December 21). Republic Act 10354: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 | Philippine Commission on Women. Pcw.gov.ph. https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-10354/
- Yee, J. (2019, July 22). Church opposition stalling Reproductive Health Law. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1144442/church-opposition-stalling-reproductive-health-law