Palace to boost responsible parenthood amid contraceptive budget slash

In the wake of a reported slash in the budget for contraceptives for 2011, Malacañang indicated Saturday the government will strengthen its efforts to promote responsible parenthood. But deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte did not immediately say how the government, which maintains an open stance on artificial contraception, will achieve this goal. “As we have said, we are for responsible parenthood. We will support whatever decision parents will have in family planning," she said in Filipino on government-run dzRB radio. “Hindi limited sa contraceptives, mas maraming ibang paraan (Family planning is not dependent on contraceptives. There are many other ways)," she added. On Friday, Senate majority leader Vicente Sotto III said senators slashed the Department of Health’s (DOH) budget for contraceptives, which will be distributed to poor families starting 2011. The P880 million proposed allocation for the DOH's “family health" program was slashed to a mere P8 million. Sotto was quoted as saying the senators decided to use much of the P872 million that was chopped off from the original DOH proposal to improve the budget of state universities and colleges. The amount will also go to programs such as scholarships in science and technology institutes. In deciding to keep the P8 million, senators also laid down instructions that the money be spent only on condoms. — LBG, GMANews.TV