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RH bill ‘moving along well’ in Senate — Pia


The controversial reproductive health bill is “moving along very well" in the Senate, according to Sen. Pia Cayateno, chair of the Senate health and demography committee. During Thursday’s four-hour hearing, the committee discussed a possible scenario in case there is no law granting universal access to affordable and quality reproductive health services. “Without a law, you can have local government dictating the non-existence of any services," Cayetano said, adding that she didn’t expect the hearing to resolve anything regarding the hotly contested reproductive health issue. “It’s really a matter of hearing facts that will help the committee determine what exactly should be contained in the bill," she said. Center of the discussions was Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s Senate Bill No.2378 or “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development." Under it, the state shall guarantee universal access to medically safe, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health services, methods, devices, supplies, and relevant information. A third hearing may be scheduled soon depending on the availability of the resource persons and the number of issues that have not been discussed yet in the two previous hearings, Cayetano said. “I am committed to my part in conducting the hearings and then coming out with the committee report and then eventually sponsoring it. Beyond that will depend on my colleagues," the lawmaker said. She said she is not counting yet who will support the bill. “My job continues regardless of a headcount," she said, at the same time expressing hope that President Benigno Aquino III would include the measure in priority legislations. In the House of Representatives, at least six bills related to the reproductive health issue are also pending. However, House committee on population and family relations chairman Biliran Rep. Rogelio Espina said they do not plan to rush the passage of the measure. The Catholic Church has consistently opposed the use and state provision of artificial birth control methods like condoms and birth control pills, saying it only supports “natural" family planning methods for married couples. Aquino, however, said that the couples would be in the “best position to determine what is best for their family" and the methods that they can use. The Palace and the Catholic Church have been engaged in talks regarding the issue. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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