- What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
As a Filipino, I can personally witness the struggles of the common people of our country, especially those families that are taking care of more than one child. Our population continues to increase, yet the opportunities and resources of society do not increase as much. Therefore, I strongly suggest the practice of family planning to every Filipino people since this is the best way of showing that we are responsible. Without the practice of family planning, it is expected that there will be a high number of unwanted pregnancies, which means that there will be a higher incidence of poverty among families, as many couples who have unwanted pregnancies lack the financial means to sustain the responsibility of raising a child and a family. This could also mean that more children would be unable to receive all of their basic needs, forcing them to fend for themselves on the streets in search of food to satisfy their hunger.
- Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.
I, for one, wholeheartedly support the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions. I mentioned in the previous question the importance of being responsible when it comes to creating a healthy family, well, this is a law that can help Filipinos achieve that. The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, recognizes the right of all Filipinos to make informed decisions about their own reproductive health based on their religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and demands of responsible parenthood through education and information.
In terms of teen pregnancy, the Philippines continues to have one of the highest rates among ASEAN members, with over 500 adolescents becoming pregnant and giving birth every day (UNFPA, 2020). This is where Reproductive Health Law can intervene since its goal is to provide reproductive health and sexuality education for youth. A lot of people will say that abstinence is the most effective way to prevent teenage pregnancy, but the reality is that premarital sex is very common in the country, and it is always preferable to have these people protected from unwanted pregnancy and STIs rather than relying on the ineffective and unguaranteed safety of unprotected sex.
There are many provisions that are very commendable under this Act. Promoting quality reproductive service ensures safe pregnancy, maternal and child health, safe delivery, and the birth of healthy children. The provisions benefit women in particular as they are given choices with their health and body. This allows families to prioritize their life commitments and efforts without jeopardizing their sexual relationships, and it also allows them to choose the number of children they want, and when to have them.
Moreover, Reproductive Health Law empowers partners to have a right to have a family, child assistance, living wage and income, and participation in planning and implementation. Consequently, this law would guarantee safe and inexpensive healthcare that is of quality.
References:
Republic Act 10354: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. (n.d.). Philippine Commission on Women. Retrieved from: https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-10354/
A Primer on the Reproductive Health Law. (2013). Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development Foundation. Retrieved from: https://www.plcpd.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/A-primer-on-the-Reproductive-Health-Law.pdf
Eliminating Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines. (2020). UnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA). Retrieved from: https://philippines.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/UNFPA_Policy_Brief_Teenage_Pregnancy_%282020-01-24%29.pdf
World Population Day Six Reasons to Support Family Planning. (2016, December 6). Guttmacher Institute. https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2008/07/world-population-day-six-reasons-support-family-planning