Laws Governing the Practice of Family Planning in the Philippines

Laws Governing the Practice of Family Planning in the Philippines

Laws Governing the Practice of Family Planning in the Philippines

by Ma Abegail Aguila -
Number of replies: 0

  1. What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?

I definitely have full support in the practice of family planning. Aside from its perceived  benefits in protecting against the threat of sexuality transmitted disease and reducing health risks for women before, after, and during childbirth, the children’s quality of life until adulthood can also be protected as this practice enables the deliberate planning of the desired number of children, thus, reducing the burden of overwhelming responsibilities by parents in a large size family. 

The occurrence of child labor can be attributed to unhealthy family life and economic deprivation. Families strained by financial difficulties cannot cope with the increasing demands of their children and sometimes even fail to provide them with adequate nutrition (International Labor Organization, n.d.). Due to these unmet needs, the parents suffer from financial incapability and children themselves carry this burden through entering child labor, receiving poor nutrition, and lack of education. When parents in a large family size still fail to consider their economic and physical capability before bearing children, then the poverty cycle will still go on, and the burden will be passed from children to children. Family planning and its provisions will help in addressing the prevalence rate of child labor in low-income countries.  Family planning programs serve as a public policy strategy to improve children’s economic resources in childhood. A reduced number of children in a household results in an increased availability of parental time and economic resources per child. Meanwhile, fewer children also increase household income, thus reducing poverty rates.  This is a very important goal that every parent should aim for in order to ensure a good, secured, and comfortable life for their children (Bailey et.al., 2014).

Family planning also provide access to safe and effective contraceptive methods, thus reducing the prevalence of unwanted pregnancies and abortions that could further deteriorate to maternal deaths and injuries.  It also promotes safe pregnancy spacing, which is a vital factor in reducing the risk of premature birth, placental abruption, low birth weight, congenital disorders, schizophrenia, and maternal anemia (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Moreover, without these contraception methods, the only way that pregnancy can be eliminated will be through abstinence from sex. Sex, with a proper consent, is also an important factor that promotes a healthy relationship to couples – be it physical and psychological. Psychological benefits of sex with proper consent include better self image,  higher rates of happiness, more bonding, relief from stress, and improved sleep quality. Meanwhile, physical benefits of sex with proper consent include better physical fitness, enhanced brain function, improved immune function, lower pain levels, weight loss and positive cardiac effects (Stritoff, 2022). 

  1. Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.

I am in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions. The Republic Act 10354, also known as The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 recognizes and guarantees the human rights of all persons including their right to equality and nondiscrimination of these rights, the right to sustainable human development, the right to health which includes reproductive health, the right to education and information, and the right to choose and make decisions for themselves in accordance with their religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and the demands of responsible parenthood. 

Among the guiding principles of this act that I would like to highlight are:

  1. The provision of ethical and medically safe, legal, accessible, affordable, non-abortifacient, effective and quality reproductive health care services and supplies is essential in the promotion of people’s right to health, especially those of women, the poor, and the marginalized, and shall be incorporated as a component of basic health care - I like that this principle focuses on the marginalized and their access to the essential reproductive health care services. The poor healthcare system has always been depriving the poor, thus they become most vulnerable to maternal morbidity. The inclusiveness of this act to all women of socioeconomic status will further result to the promotion of a good sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child nutrition, prevention of STDs and other injuries, informed decision making through guidance and counseling, and the improvement of women and their family’s overall health and well-being.

  2. While this Act recognizes that abortion is illegal and punishable by law, the government shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortive complications and all other complications arising from pregnancy, labor and delivery and related issues shall be treated and counseled in a humane, nonjudgmental and compassionate manner in accordance with law and medical ethics; - Unsafe abortion is still the leading – but preventable cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. It poses a significant risk to many Filipino women as evidenced by the 1000 women who die each year from abortion complications and tens of thousands hospitalized women due to unsafe abortion. Due to these risks, we must recognize that postabortion care must be rendered to them and break the barriers in obtaining such care such as the existing stigma about abortion and the high cost of medical care (Hussain & Finer, 2013). 

  3. Hiring of Skilled Health Professionals for Maternal Health Care and Skilled Birth Attendance.– The LGUs shall endeavor to hire an adequate number of nurses, midwives and other skilled health professionals for maternal health care and skilled birth attendance to achieve an ideal skilled health professional-to-patient ratio taking into consideration DOH targets: Provided, That people in geographically isolated or highly populated and depressed areas shall be provided the same level of access to health care: Provided, further, That the national government shall provide additional and necessary funding and other necessary assistance for the effective implementation of this provision. - This principle focuses on the utilization of our very own workforce to address the maternal and child health needs of our country. The employment of an adequate number of skilled health professionals will ensure that  all women, especially those in the most vulnerable areas, will be assisted in their reproductive needs. This will also ensure that they will be acquiring the best possible service through workers with the required set of  skills and knowledge that every maternal and child health advocate should possess. In addition, I like that the achievement of an ideal skilled health professional-to-patient ratio was highlighted because this will promote a healthier working environment for health care workers, thus, enabling them to provide the most effective care for their patients and to themselves as well.  

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