Hontiveros: RH law alone can鈥檛 curb teen pregnancies
MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday disagreed with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s claim that the Reproductive Health (RH) law was enough to stem teenage pregnancy, as he backed those opposing the controversial measure she had filed to address the spike in the number of young mothers in the country.
“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,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
READ: Hontiveros: Give revised anti-teen pregnancy bill a fair chance
Senate Bill No. 1979, or the proposed Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act, was necessary to “empower adolescents to protect themselves,” she stressed.
“Now that teen pregnancy is still a national emergency, it is only right that we strengthen the [RH] law,” she said. Amid critics’ claim that SB 1979 will teach masturbation to 4-year-old students, Hontiveros immediately introduced a substitute bill. —Marlon Ramos
