CBCP: Laguna declared pro-life zone after anti-RH march

Pro-life groups from four cities in Laguna declared their areas a “pro-life" and “family-friendly" zone and urged local government leaders to reject the RH bill after some 7,000 residents joined a “Walk for Life" march sponsored by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Sunday. “We, the citizens of Laguna and of the Cities of San Pablo, Calamba, Santa Rosa and Biñan gathered today as a Coalition for Life and Family of Laguna composed of the individual parishioners and civic and religious organizations now assembled, declare and affirm: our commitment to uphold and protect the dignity of the human person, the value of life from conception to natural death and the sacredness of the family founded on the indissoluble union of man and woman," the Coalition for Life and Family of Laguna said in a resolution posted Sunday night on the CBCP news site. San Pablo Bishop Leo Drona said they are in the process of making representations with Laguna lawmakers and leaders of local government units (LGUs) to also make their commitments clear about the controversial issue of the RH Bill pending in Congress. The bishop said he is pleased that at least three out of the four congressmen in Laguna have signified their intentions to reject the said bill in Congress. These are Laguna Representatives Edgardo San Luis of the the 4th District, Ivy Arago of the 3rd District, and Dan Fernandez of the First District. Drona said they are waiting for Laguna 2nd District Rep. Justin Timmy Chipeco to signify whether he would be for or against the RH Bill. The Walk for Life was led by the Knights of Columbus Laguna Chapter and the Family Life Ministry. It was kicked off with a Mass celebrated in the Liceo de San Pablo Gymnasium. Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez joined in the event and spoke about how the growing Filipino population is not the cause of poverty, explaining that having more Filipinos is an asset and not a liability. Bishop Drona, in his homily, said life is a gift from God and called on his flock to fight the culture of death. After the program, the bishop headed the signing of the resolution followed by priests, leaders of every delegation, officers, civic groups, and youths. Meanwhile, some 1,000 parishioners from the vicariate of Calamba also conducted a separate march in protest of the passage of the RH bill along the city's thoroughfares. The march culminated with a Mass celebrated in the St. John Parish Church during which parish priest and vicar forane Rene Eriga delivered his “pro-life" message. – MRT/KBK, GMA News