Sen. Risa Hontiveros 鈥� Photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Sen. Risa Hontiveros said on Monday that there is a need to pass the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) bill as it would strengthen the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law.
In a statement, she reminded the Department of Health (DOH) that her PAP bill, or Senate Bill No. 1979,聽is essential to address the rising cases of teenage pregnancy nationwide.
This came after Health Secretary Ted Herbosa claimed that the RPRH Law was enough to address teenage pregnancy.
鈥淓specially now that teenage pregnancy is considered a national emergency, it is only right that we strengthen the RPRH law. It is only right that we pass a measure that mandates the government to direct our attention and resources to this particular issue of teen pregnancy,鈥� Hontiveros said.
鈥淭he PAP bill is needed to empower adolescents to protect themselves,鈥� she added.
Hontiveros also emphasized a pressing need for accurate information and service apart from what was under the RPRH law, as adolescents should not be deprived of their right to be protected.
Hontiveros earlier addressed issues surrounding the PAP bill.
To allay fears, she filed a substitute bill. Some changes made to the bill are as follows:
- Removal of the phrase 鈥済uided by international standards鈥� in terms of implementing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)
- Limiting CSE to only adolescents of children aged 10 years old and above
- Inclusion of a provision guaranteeing academic and religious freedom
According to Hontiveros, Senate President Francis Escudero has pitched certain changes to the bill, which include the following:
- Limit access to contraceptives without parental consent to adolescents 16 and up
- Explicit inclusion of parent-teacher organizations as part of stakeholders to be consulted in terms of CSE implementation
- Removal of the provision that states that CSE is being conducted as a requirement for accreditation of private schools
鈥淚 hope this allays valid and genuine fears. I hope this helps bring us senators together to finally pass a Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill our country so desperately needs,鈥� Hontiveros said.
READ: Hontiveros refutes critics of prevention of adolescent pregnancy bill