"I am for Bro. Eddie Video" List of Supporters

Kuh Ledesma

Coney Reyes

Ernesto Isleta, Retired General

Fred Magbanua, bishop

Nanette Inventor, actress

Dr. Cielito Habito, former NEDA Diretor-General

Ayen Laurel, singer

Carlo Orosa, singer/stage actor

Gina Marissa Tagasa, writer

Jojo Lastimosa, PBA player

Monique Guevara, commercial model

Dr. Ching Ilao-Oreta, obstetrics/gynecologist

Bro. Bill Aujero,  gospel writer

Dino Aldeguer, PBL  player

Marlou Aquino, PBA player

Jayvee Gayoso, former PBA player

Yoyoy Villame, singer comdeian

Ustadz Ibrahim, Muslim leader

Carla Martinez, actress/concert actress

Franco Laurel, singer

Ed Zaragosa, professor

Shiela Francisco,  stage actress

Ronald  Carballo, scriptwriter

Emilio Maraois, manggagawa

Rina Filart-Scott, businesswoman

Jo and Marily Orosa, entrepreneurs

Bishop Ed Lapiz, pastor

Mila Aguilar, poet

Isabella Ledesma, gonzales

Jeric Soriano, director/producer

Joey at Ut Rafael, entrepreneurs

Doreen Bernal, acting director

Fanny Serano, celebrity

Rochelle Malasarte, IT specialist

Atty. Louie and Triccie Sison, Catholic leaders

University Professor Emeritus Domingo is new National Scientist

Article written by Bernice P. Varona, UP Newsletter

Volume xxxi   Number 01    2010-01-01 

 

Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo

Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, currently university professor emeritus of the UP College of Medicine, is the newest National Scientist of the country. The proclamation was  signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on January 14, 2010.

He was nominated by the National Academy of Science and Technology, one of the two advisory bodies of government in matters of Science and Technology. Dr. Domingo has been Academician of the NAST since 1992 in the field of health sciences, particularly in his field of specialization, internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Dr. Domingo is the 32nd National Scientist who is an alumni of the University, out of a total of 33 National Scientists.

Dr. Domingo’s vital work on liver cancer remains the major source in the country of information on the disease’s etiology, manifestation and treatment. His research focuses on three areas: schistosomiasis, viral hepatitis and liver cancer. 

With the help of Dr. Augusto Lingao, he organized the Liver Study group engaged in research on viral hepatitis, especially epidemiology and vaccination in the Philippines. The Department of Health utilized their findings in developing the policy on hepatitis B immunization.

In the field of medical education, Dr. Domingo designed and implemented the specialty fellowship program in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) with the aid of a financial grant from the China Medical Board of New York. The format of this training program was subsequently adopted by other training hospitals in the country. 

The Clinical Epidemiology Unit (CEU) of the UP College of Medicine was another significant program established by Dr. Domingo. Created in 1982 as part of a global network supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, it has now grown to become a national and regional training center in the Asia-Pacific Region. It will also help establish other CEUs in medical schools throughout the country.

Dr. Domingo is a graduate of Medicine from the UP Manila, Class 1961. He specialized in Internal Medicine at the PGH and in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1967 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine at the UP College of Medicine and Attending Physician at the PGH. Within nine years, he became a full professor of Medicine. He occupied various academic and administrative positions starting with being the head of the Section of Gastroenterology. He then became  vice chairman of the Department of Medicine; chairman of the Department of Medicine; associate dean of the College of Medicine; acting dean of the  College of Medicine; and chancellor of UP Manila. He was also former director of the Postgraduate School of Medicine for almost 10 years and was at one time coordinator for Teaching and Research of PGH.

Original article: http://up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?i=1088

You can run but.

As justice department officials have pointed out, Sen. Panfilo Lacson is not a fugitive; there is no order preventing his departure from the country and no warrant for his arrest – at least not yet. The arrest warrant is expected to be issued this week by the court that is handling the trial of the men accused of kidnapping, torturing and then murdering publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.

The nine-year-old case received a not-so-new twist when two of Lacson’s former top operatives in the now defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, Cezar Mancao and Glenn Dumlao, were extradited from the United States for the grisly crime and implicated their former commander.

Now, faced with arrest and detention without bail, Lacson has decided to skip town. In a statement the other day, he admitted fleeing prosecution. A former national police chief, Lacson admitted that flight is usually taken to be a sign of guilt. But in his case, he said, he was merely avoiding harassment by the Arroyo administration, whose serious wrongdoings he has been exposing since its first year.

Lacson’s sentiment may be valid. And he has reason to be worried about detention under an administration where a former police colleague he had sent to prison for kidnapping, Reynaldo Berroya, is a Cabinet member. Lacson also has reason to question the fairness of state prosecution when he is hunted down while people like Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante, Benjamin Abalos and Virgilio Garcillano go scot-free.

Still, Lacson gave the administration ammunition to go after him, if only for command responsibility. His defense against his indictment is that Mancao and Dumlao were merely forced by the administration to implicate him, and in any case, he was already out of the PAOCTF loop, he claims, at the time of the murders in November 2000.

The hole in this story is that Lacson has failed to point an accusing finger at anyone else as the likely mastermind. All those PAOCTF men accused of direct participation in the murders had no reason to hold a deadly grudge against Dacer. The publicist reportedly had documents about the BW stock manipulation scam that he was about to reveal shortly before his death.

Who was implicated in those documents has not been established. Lacson should reveal everything he knows about this case if he wants to help unearth the truth and give justice to the families of Dacer and Corbito.
Lacson must also reassure the public that he is ready to return and face his accusers as soon as the administration that he has criticized is no longer in power. He must decide whether he wants to return to the country on his own or wait to be apprehended and sent back to the Philippines. In this global village, you can run, but unless you are willing to live in the forbidding mountainous frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Osama bin Laden is suspected to be holed up, you can’t hide. - (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com) 

Original Story: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20100204/tph-editorial-you-can-run-but-b4b2a3e.html

Noynoy sees ‘unholy alliance’ between admin, Villar

The Arroyo administration and the camp of Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. are forming an “unholy alliance" for the May 10 elections, Sen. Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III insinuated Wednesday.

Aquino made the statement after Pulse Asia released its latest survey results showing a further drop in Aquino's ratings while Villar continues to inch closer to him despite the controversy hounding him in connection with the C5 road extension project.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, only 2 percentage points separate Aquino (Liberal Party) from Villar (Nacionalista Party).

“By the day, it is becoming clear that an unholy alliance is developing between this administration and my opponent. No wonder the Palace spokesman couldn’t restrain himself in expressing his gratitude to one of my opponents for keeping quiet on the many issues confronting this administration," Aquino said in a statement.

Presidential deputy spokesman Gary Olivar had earlier been quoted as praising Villar for not criticizing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in his campaign.

This page requires a higher version browser
Black propaganda

Aquino said he was not surprised with his declining ratings, considering that his opponents have been hurling “unrelenting and increasingly below-the-belt and baseless black propaganda" against him.

“What should not escape all of us is that I still lead the surveys—from the time I declared my candidacy to this day. I would like to assure everyone, especially our supporters, that as the formal campaign period starts, we will work harder to make sure that we remain on top of the fight and the hope of our people for a clean, competent and compassionate government through my tandem with Senator Mar Roxas will be fulfilled," he said.

He even quoted Villar as supposedly saying in a forum in De La Salle University that he would not lift a finger to defend the administration.

The absent senator

At a press conference, Aquino also took a potshot at Villar for his absences in Senate sessions.

Aquino, the only son of the late President Corazon Aquino and slain Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., said that while he was diligently attending the sessions and performing his functions as a legislator, “the others are practically campaigning fulltime, neglecting their mandate with those who entrusted them with their votes."

Villar has not been attending sessions in what his critics see as his move to elude the C5 controversy, in where he is accused of using his power to benefit financially from the government’s road project. On Tuesday, Villar defended himself through a privilege speech but left the floor immediately after.

The Nacionalista Party, meanwhile, credited the rise in the ratings of Villar to their “communication strategy."

“We believe it is our communication strategy and messaging that is working well and we will continue to strengthen our local political machine for the end game," said party spokesman and senatorial candidate Gilbert Remulla in a text message to GMANews.TV.

He added it is safe to assume that the attempts to discredit Villar through the C5 road issue have lost its efficacy and that the public knows that it is all about politics. - with Sophia Dedace/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV

Original Story:
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/20100203/tph-noynoy-sees-unholy-alliance-between-d6cd5cf.html

Pray Fervently for the Philippines

PRAY FERVENTLY FOR THE PHILIPPINES

• Let us pray and humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways to seek God’s mercy for the healing of our land and the Filipino people.

• Let us pray that this Christmas season we will see and know the Lord Jesus as our Savior, Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor, Healer, Comforter, Prince of Peace and Mighty God.

• Let us pray for God’s divine intervention and justice for the 57 people massacred in Maguindanao, Mindanao. Let us pray that the case will not be tainted by political agenda but the truth will prevail and Department of Justice will immediately act on it.

• Let us pray that our powerful God will expose every evil plan for the preparation of 2010 election. Let us disarm Satan’s control over politics and the politicians and release the great fear of God to rule over them and this nation.

• Let us pray for the Commission on Elections commissioners to remain honest and serve the country with the fear of the Lord. May the truth prevail for God’s Glory.

• Let us thank the Lord for “He is mighty to save” the Philippines!

Source:
www.pceconline.org
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches

KRISTIYANONG KABATAAN PARA SA BAYAN MOVEMENT: MANIFESTO OF SUPPORT TO BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA

The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB) Movement is a 1M-strong youth Movement that has membership across Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao;

It also has chapters in 44 countries abroad with an equally dynamic members called Christian Youth for the Nations (CYN);

The KKB Movement is the leading national youth organization in the Philippines’ recent history that has blazed the trail in courageously & independently standing up & speaking up on political, economic & social concerns;

The KKB Movement has thus become the acknowledged face of modern-day youth passion and love for the country;

Its members register the strongest demand for accountability in national leadership; lack of which has been the cause of systemic political degradation & economic devastation;

Its members see the 2010 elections as a shining moment for the Filipino youth to stand up again & make its voice resound in calling for the nation to choose a leader who commits to be true to the essence of accountability;

The KKB Movement has examined all candidates offering themselves to serve the nation as President of the country;

After an extensive examination & deliberation among its membership & then, the national leadership, the KKB Movement has unanimously decided to support the candidacy of Bro. Eddie Villanueva;

The KKB Movement believes that Bro. Eddie’s consistent and unshakable track record in serving the Filipino people imprinted in his heart & soul the value of accountability: that public service is a public trust & that position is not personal glory but is a glorious means to serve his fellow citizens;

The KKB Movement also looks up to Bro. Eddie as a man who fears God & therefore, would only seek the betterment of his fellow man who is created out of the image of God;

Bro. Eddie is the most qualified candidate to be the President of the Philippines in 2010;

Therefore, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved that the KKB Movement issue this MANIFESTO OF SUPPORT TO BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA.

December 29, 2009

Signed:

EMIL GALANG

Executive Director

Bro. Eddie, Yasay Increase Facebook Mock Elections Percentage

If Facebook is by any means an indication of supporters’ excitement and adaptation to the May 2010 automated elections, then Bangon Pilipinas’ candidates are surely inching their way to victory.

Presidential and vice-presidential candidates and their supporters have been closely monitoring results of the ballots cast for the online polling sponsored by Facebook application, “Election 2010.”

As of 10:00 am of Tuesday, January 12, Bangon Pilipinas presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva and vice-presidential candidate Perfecto “Jun” Yasay both maintained a strong hold at number 2.

Bro. Eddie cornered a huge 35.75 percent of the total 2,066 ballots counted while Yasay, 26.84 percent. The figures represent the tally for the poll’s Round 9.

Bro. Eddie’s votes increased by 12 percent from his tally of 30.82 percent from Round 8 while Yasay bagged a 16 percent increase from his tally of 22.39 percent.

Bro. Eddie and Yasay have a solid support from both the youth and professional sectors who actively help in the awareness campaign for Bangon Pilipinas using social networking sites. These supporters have so far been successful in their campaign as proven by their strong presence in the online community.

The May 2010 elections will make its mark in Philippine history as the first to employ computer-aided vote-casting and -counting. According to the Commission on Elections, the automated polls is one of the main reasons why voters have high awareness about this coming national elections.

Source: 

http://www.jilnationaloperation.org/index.php/bangon-pilipinas/4-statements/49-bro-eddie-yasay-increase-fb-mock-elections-percentage

Muslims and Christians Form a United Front for Bro. Eddie

Teary-eyed Bangon Pilipinas presidential candidate Bro. Eddie Villanueva thanked the united front of Muslim and Christian groups for a rare expression of unity in order to support his candidacy.

“For the love of country, they have united to advance new politics,” Bro. Eddie said.

The Head of Ulama Philippines, Aleem Naguib Taher, declared the support of the Muslim community to Bro. Eddie during the Bangon Pilipinas coordinators’ convergence in Clark, Pampanga this week. He brought with him leading personalities of Mindanao’s top three ethno-linguistic groups: Maguindanaons, Tausugs, and Maranaws.

Aleem Taher said, “We represent the united front of the Muslims in Mindanao.”

“This is the first time in recent history that these three tribes joined each other for a common cause in the political arena,” said Arnold Garbanzos, Bangon Pilipinas Coordinator in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Dr. Zafrullah Alonto, former Spokesperson of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is running as senator under Bangon Pilipinas to represent Mindanao in the party slate.

Earlier, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) also declared support to Bro. Eddie when its Founding Chairman Nur Misuari announced his Sulu Gubernatorial candidacy under Bangon Pilipinas.

Meanwhile, Seventh Day Adventist leader Tom Meneses also said, “Who would have thought this day would come? Groups that traditionally do not see each other eye to eye have forged unity and agreed to be under one banner… that of Bangon Pilipinas Party?. This is amazing!”

Dr. Jun Loquias of the influential BAPTIST-Philippines (Believers’ Action Towards Prosperity, Truth, Integrity for the State’s Transformation) brought with him Baptist Churches in the Philippines to be part of the united front of supporters for Bro. Eddie. In Mindanao alone, BAPTIST -Philippines has a 36,000-strong member Churches.

“Beyond religion, beyond historical conflicts, beyond personal interests: This is what Bangon Pilipinas is all about!”, said Bro. Eddie.

Source: 

http://www.jilnationaloperation.org/index.php/bangon-pilipinas/4-statements/51-muslims-and-christians-form-a-united-front-for-bro-eddie

Marabut, Eastern Samar Photos

View Full Album

I’ve been to this place thrice: first when my barkadas decided to have an out-of-town trip when I was still in college; second, when Marc Salboro came with me Marabut, Eastern Samar to visit Leyte for the first time in his life; and when my sister’s friend from Scotland visited the Philippines.


I like the place. It’s not polluted. I hope I could visit it again in the future.

SWS: Aquino 52%, Villar 44% in a one-on-one

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 52% of Filipinos would have picked Sen. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III while 44% would have chosen Sen. Manny Villar had a two-man presidential race been held last December 27 to 28, according to a special Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Villar camp.

The survey, disclosed by the SWS on Thursday, asked 2,100 respondents the question: Among the names found in this list, who will you probably vote for as President of the Philippines if elections were held today?

The survey has a plus/minus 2.2% margin of error.

The SWS said it disclosed the results of the survey on Thursday after the sponsor authorized its release.

The same question was asked in an October 1-4 SWS survey. The results showed that 65% would have chosen Aquino, while 28% would have picked Villar.

The Villar camp said the survey results showed that Villar had significantly cut Aquino's lead from 37 percentage points in October to 8 percentage points in December.

Other scenarios

Aside from a list that contained only the names of Aquino and Villar, the respondents were also asked to choose from lists that had more names of presidential candidates, namely: former President Joseph Estrada, Lakas-Kampi-CMD's Gilbert Teodoro, Brother Eddie Villanueva, Sen. Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, and Ang Kapatiran's JC de los Reyes.

The SWS said four other scenarios were also tested in the December 27-28 survey. From a list showing 7 names without Estrada, Aquino got 49%; Villar 38%; Teodoro 6%; Villanueva 2%; Gordon 1%; Madrigal 1%; de Los Reyes 0.3%.

From a list showing 7 names without Teodoro, Aquino remained on top of the  survey with 45% followed by Villar with 35%, Estrada 14%, Gordon and Villanueva 2% each, Madrigal 1%, de los Reyes 0.4%.
In a 3-way race, 50% chose Aquino followed by Villar with 40% and Teodoro 7%. A separate 3-way survey, meanwhile, still showed Aquino leading with 47%,Villar 37%, and Estrada 14%.

Original Article:  http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20100122/tph-sws-aquino-52-villar-44-in-a-one-on-85c5a6c.html

Goal for 2010: Post at least 200 entries

Welcome to 2010! With my new laptop, I am hoping I could surpass the number of entries I wrote for the previous years since I started blogging. I started to post an entry in this site in August 2006, four months after I graduated in college in UP Tacloban and migrated here in Metro Manila for further studies. I enrolled in UP Diliman for my MA and I am currently writing my thesis.

For the year 2006, I posted 36 entries only compared to 60 entries in 2007. That is basically 21% increase in the number of entries. At the end of 2008, I became more aggressive in writing. I was able to post 73 entries that year, 13 entries higher than the previous year, and statistically speaking, there was a 13% increase. Last year's record is quite significant. The number of entries I had in 2008 was doubled! 153 entries! For obvious reason, this is because I have my on laptop now. I could just go to SM Malls and post anything that’s interesting to me. For this year, my goal is to have at least 200 entries.

I am not a professional writer. I am just an amateur, but I am trying to post something here that might give interest to my readers. And another thing, it's my passion. That's more important than anything else. You love what you're doing.

Explanatory Note of RH 5054

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2008

OBJECTIVE/S:

• To uphold and promote respect for life, informed choice, birth spacing and responsible parenthood in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards.
• To guarantee universal access to medically-safe, legal and quality reproductive health care services and relevant information even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children.

KEY PROVISIONS:

• Mandates the Population Commission, to be an attached agency of the Department of Health, to be the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for effective implementation of this Act.
• Provides for the creation of an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions.
• Provides for a maternal death review in LGUs, national and local government hospitals and other public health units to decrease the incidence of maternal deaths.
• Ensures the availability of hospital-based family planning methods such as tubal ligation, vasectomy and intrauterine device insertion in all national and local government hospitals, except in specialty hospitals.
• Considers hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies under the category of essential medicines and supplies to form part of the National Drug Formulary and to be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and local hospitals and other government health units.
• Provides for a Mobile Health Care Service in every Congressional District to deliver health care goods and services.
• Provides Mandatory Age-appropriate Reproductive Health Education starting from Grade 5 to Fourth Year High School to develop the youth into responsible adults.
• Mandates the inclusion of the topics on breastfeeding and infant nutrition as essential part of the information given by the City or Municipal Office of the Family Planning to all applicants for marriage license.
• Mandates no less than 10% increase in the honoraria of community-based volunteer workers, such as the barangay health workers, upon successful completion of training on the delivery of reproductive health care services.
• Penalizes the violator of this Act from one month to six months imprisonment or a fine ranging from ten thousand to fifty thousand pesos or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Court.

——————————-

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 17

Introduced by HONORABLE EDCEL C. LAGMAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The present population of the country of 88.7 million has galloped from 60.7 million 17 years ago. This makes the Philippines the 12th most populous nation in the world today.The Filipino women’s fertility rate of 3.05% is at the upper bracket of 206 countries. With four babies born every minute, the population is expected to balloon to an alarming 160 million in 2038.
It is worth noting, however, that available studies, data and statistics show that the Filipinos are responsive to having smaller-sized families through free choice of family planning methods:

a. The desired fertility rate of Filipino women is 2.5 children per woman. However, the actual total fertility rate is 3.5 or a difference of one child because of the lack of information and absence of access to family planning. The current unmet need for contraceptives for example is 23.15% for poor women and 13.6% for women who are not poor (2003 National Demographic and Health Survey)
b. 61% of currently married women do not want additional children (2003 National Demographic and Health Survey)
c. 50.6% of the youth want to have only two children (2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey)
d. 97% of all Filipinos believe it is important to have the ability to control one’s fertility or to plan one’s family. It is significant to note that 87% of the total respondents are Roman Catholic (February 2004 Pulse Asia Survey)
e. Nearly nine in ten Filipinos or 86% say that candidates for elective positions who advocate a program for women’s health should be supported while only 2% say they should be rejected and 12% are undecided on the matter;
f. 82% say that candidates in favor of couples’ free choice of family planning methods should be supported while only 3% think otherwise and 15% are undecided;
g. 82% of Filipinos consider candidates supporting a law or measure on population issues worthy of their voltes while only 3% say such candidates should not be backed at the polls and 15% are undecided;
h. 83% of Filipinos say they are in favor of candidates who support the allocation of goverment funds for family planning while only 2% say they are not and 15% are undecided; and
i. A mere 8% of Filipinos believe that a candidate’s championing of family planning issues will spell that candidate’s defeat at the polls.
j. In July 1991, the Social Weather Stations conducted a survey that revealed that 97% of Filipinos want to have the ability to control their fertility and plan their families.

Notwithstanding these findings that favor smaller-sized families, this bill is not a population control measure with the sole objective of limiting population growth. It provides for population development that aims to:

(a) help couples/parents achieve their desired fertility size in the context of responsible parenthood;
(b) improve reproductive health of individuals and contribute to decreased maternal mortality rate, infant mortality and early child mortality;
(c) reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy and other reproductive health problems; and
(d) contribute to policies that will assist government to achieve a favorable balance between population and distribution, economic activities and the environment.

This measure is not coercive. It gives couples the freedom to decide whether or not to plan their families or space or limit their children. Those who decide to plan their families also have the freedom to choose what method of contraception is best suited for them. The so called “two child policy” is voluntary, not compulsory; suggestive, not coercive; and absolutely not punitive. It is not even a policy. It is a suggested ideal or norm.
Accordingly, this bill seeks to provide the enabling environment for couples and individuals to enjoy the basic right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information, education, and access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice.
This proposed law aims to uphold and promote the four pillars of population and development enunciated by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself in her statement of support for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) namely: (1) responsible parenthood, (2) informed choice, (3) birth spacing, and (4) respect for life.
It should be clarified, however, that this bill does not only protect the life of the unborn from the moment of implantation but that of the mother as well. Hence, the bill seeks to promote the reproductive health of women basically through massive and sustained information campaign on reproductive health rights, care, services and facilities coupled with universal access to all methods of family planning ranging from the natural to the modern which are medically safe and legally permissible. In the event they fail to prevent pregnancy and resort to abortion, they shall be provided with appropriate health and medical care. Despite the provision for humane and compassionate management of post abortion complications, this bill continues to proscribe and penalize abortion which is a crime under the Revised Penal Code.
To contribute to the empowerment and responsible behavior of the youth, this proposed legislation provides for age-appropriate reproductive health and sexuality education that may be initiated by parents at house, and shall be sustained and complemented by formal education in school.
An effective reproductive health education does not only instill consciousness of freedom of choice but responsible exercise of one’s rights. According to the United Nations Population Fund: “It has been, repeatedly shown that reproductive health education leads to responsible behavior, higher levels of abstinence, later initiation of sexuality, higher use of contraception, and fewer sexual partners, These good effeds are even greater when parents can talk honestly with their children about sexual and reproductive matters.”
To guarantee the right of all persons to a full range of information on family planning methods, services and facilities and to ensure their access to an equally full range of medically safe and effective family planning methods at an appropriate time and by competent and adequately trained persons,the bill mandates  the Commission on Population (POPCOM) to be the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for the comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health and population development. Section 5 of the bill specifies the functions of POPCOM as the lead agency in the implementation of the “Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development Act of 2007″.
This proposed Act doses not only seek to protect and promote reproductive health and rights and to empower couples, individuals, more particularly women, and the youth, but it also aims to improve the quality of life of the people in general. Studies show that rapid population growth exacerbates poverty while poverty spawns rapid population growth. Consider the following:

• The Family Income and Exfenditures Surveys by the National Statistics Office (NSO) from 1985-2000 disclose that 57.3% of families having many children are poor but only 15.7% of families having two children are poor.
• Large family size is associated with negative determinant of school participation and poor health and survival rates among children. (Orbeta, Population and the Fight Against Poverty, 2003)
• The prevalence of child labor rises, and school attendance falls, with the number of children in the family (Raymundo, 2004). Moreover,the odds of a child becoming underweight and stunted are greater if he/she belongs to a household with 5 or more members (FNRI 1998). This partly explains why poverty tends to be transmitted and sustained from one generation to the next.
• According to the UN Population Fund 2002 Report, “lower birth rates and slower population growth over the last three decades have contributed faster economic progress in a number of developing countries.”
• Moreover,the same Report disclosed that fertility declines accounted for 1/5th of the economic growth in East Asia between 1960 and 1995. Additionally, it showed that countries that invest in health, including reproductive health and family planning, and in education and women’s development register slower population growth and faster economic growth.

A consistent and coherent national population policy along with sound monetary and fiscal policies and good governance could propel our people toward sustainable human development.

Accordingly, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

Scientists: Haiti must prepare for more massive quakes

Image Source

CHICAGO (AFP) – Haiti and its neighbors must prepare themselves for more massive quakes after the devastating tremors this week increased pressure along a lengthy fault line, scientists warned Friday.

Paul Mann, a senior research scientist at the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas at Austin, warned that just because the rebuilding process had started people shouldn't assume the risk was over.

"This relief of stress along this area near Port-au-Prince may have actually increased stress in the adjacent segments on the fault," he told AFP.

Researchers have already begun to work on models to try to predict how the stress changes resulting from the 7.0-magnitude quake which struck Tuesday is affecting the adjacent segments of the fault.

"This fault system is hundreds of kilometers long and the segment that ruptured to form this ear quake is only 80 kilometers long," Mann said in a telephone interview.

"There are many more segments which are building up strain where there haven't been earthquakes for hundreds of years.

"Potentially any one of these segments could cause an earthquake similar to that which happened in Haiti."

There are, thankfully, only two major population centers along the fault: Port-au-Prince and Kingston, Jamaica.

But as demonstrated in the chaos which followed Tuesday's tremor, the impact of a quake of that magnitude can be "paralyzing," Mann said.

Adding to the danger is the fact that the segment which broke was not among those closest to Port-au-Prince.

And there is a second fault system in the north of Haiti which extends to the Dominican Republic which has not ruptured in 800 years and has built up sufficient pressure for a 7.5 magnitude quake.

"The question is when are those going to rupture," Mann said, adding that it is very difficult to predict "whether or not that's going to happen next week or 100 years."

Eric Calais, a French geophysicist who works at Purdue University in Indiana, is among those trying to assess the danger.

He had warned Haitian officials years ago of dangerous pressure in the fault which caused this week's devastating quake, but little could be done to reinforce the desperately poor nation's weak buildings.

"The Haitian government is not to blame in this," Calais told AFP.

"They listened to us carefully and they knew what the hazard was. They were very concerned about it and they were taking steps. But it just happened too early."

Calais began researching the fault line in 2003 and soon took his initial findings to the Haitian government, even meeting with the prime minister.

In March 2008 he and Mann presented a paper showing that the fault had built up sufficient pressure to cause a 7.2 magnitude quake.

But they could not pinpoint when the quake might strike and the government was occupied with recovering from a series of four hurricanes which struck that year.

While the government had begun work on an emergency response plan, little could be done to retrofit and strengthen key buildings such as hospitals, schools and government buildings from which rescue operations could be organized.

"It's a poor country," Calais said. "Strengthening a building to resist a large earthquake can be as costly as replacing the building."


The devastation will allow Haiti to rebuild stronger than before, Calais said, noting that there are relatively cheap engineering solutions that can be applied to ensure that new buildings will not collapse in the next quake.

"It's very important for Port-au-Prince to rebuild properly," he added. "There are other segments of that fault that could rupture in the future."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/haitiquakesciencegeology

Bro. Eddie Villauneva was endorsed by Pangasinenses

Image Source

Another church-oriented group, the Pangasinan Alliance of Ministerial Association Now in Action (PAMANA), publicly declared their support for the candidacy of Bro. Eddie Villanueva in May 2010 presidential elections. According to members of PAMANA, the country needs a qualified and godly man to lead the nation specially in times of crisis. This is really a boost for Bro. Eddie in his bid for the presidency. Pangasinan is a large province, and there are more than 1.6 million voters in this province.

PAMANA is composed of different religious denominations in Pangasinan which has more than 700 local churches. I am hoping that other religious groups would follow in publicly declaring their support for Bro. Eddie. Our country badly needs a leader who is uncompromising.

As in 2004, I am for Bro. Eddie.

KKB youth endorses Bro. Eddie Vilanueva

MANILA, Philippines - The Kristiyanong Kabataan para sa Bayan (KKB), a youth movement with one million members nationwide, has endorsed Bro. Eddie Villanueva for president in 2010.

The group, led by its executive director, Emil Galang, cited Villanueva’s “consistent” and “unshakable track record “ in serving the Filipino people as one reason for its decision to support his presidential bid.

“After an extensive examination and deliberation among its membership and then, the national leadership, the KKB Movement has unanimously decided to support the candidacy of Bro. Eddie Villanueva,” the KBB said in its manifesto of support.

The manifesto was presented to Villanueva, standard-bearer of Bangon Pilipinas Party, at a two-day youth summit held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, which ended Tuesday night.

“The KKB movement believes that Bro. Eddie's consistent and unshakable track record in serving the Filipino people imprinted in his heart & soul the value of accountability: that public service is a public trust and that position is not personal glory but is a glorious means to serve his fellow citizens,” it said.

Villanueva’s message was the highlight of the summit, an annual convention of youth leaders representing the KKB membership from all over Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and chapters in 44 countries abroad.

“History has given the youth a mandate to be the beacons of hope for our beloved country. Do not abandon the mandate, instead pursue it... and pursue it with all your heart,” he said.

He reminded the youth leaders about how youth in the like of Jose Rizal became heroes and pillars of Philippine history.

“Our history continuously unfolds. I have the faith that the youth I am speaking to tonight carry with them the same patriotic blood that would make them heroes and pillars of yet another glorious track that our country would tread on,” he said.

Source:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091230-244714/Youth-group-endorses-Bro-Eddie

Top 10 U.S. Largest Churches 2008

Outreach magazine released the Top 100 Largest Churches in the United States of America for 2008. Below is the Top 10. To view the complete list, please go the the official website of Outreach magazine. These are Protestant, evangelical churches.


1. Lakewood Church
Location: Houston, Texas
Pastor: Joel Osteen
Founded 1959
Attendance: 43,500
Website: http://lakewood.cc/

2. Second Baptist Church
Location: Houston, Texas
Pastor: Ed Young, Sr.
Founded 1927
Attendance: 23,659
Website: http://second.org/

3. North Point Community Church
Location: Alpharetta, Georgia
Pastor: Andy Stanley
Founded 1995
Attendance: 22,557
Website: http://northpoint.org/

4. Willow Creek Community Church
Location: South Barrington, Illinois
Pastor: Bill Hybels
Founded 1975
Attendance: 22,500
Website: http://willowcreek.org/

5. LifeChurch.tv
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma
Pastor: Craig Groeschel
Founded 1996
Attendance: 20,823
Website: http://lifechurch.tv/

6. West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Location: Los Angeles, California
Pastor: Charles Blake
Founded 1943
Attendance: 20,000
Website: http://westa.org/

7. Fellowship Church
Location: Grapevine, Texas
Pastor: Ed Young, Jr.
Founded 1989
Attendance: 19,000
Website: http://fellowshipchurch.com/

8. Saddleback Church
Location: Lake Forest, California
Pastor: Rick WArren
Founded 1980
Attendance: 19,414
Website: http://saddleback.com/


9. Calvary Chapel
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Pastor: Bob Coy
Founded 1996
Attendance: 18,000
Website: http://calvaryftl.org/


10. The Potter's House
Location: Dallas, Texas
Pastor: T.D. Jakes
Founded 1996
Attendance: 17,000
Website: http://theposttershouse.org/

Source:
http://churchrelevance.com/top-100-largest-churches-in-america-of-2008/

Two additional presidential candidates, approved by COMELEC

With the release of Resolution 8743, the Commission on Election (COMELEC) officially approved the motions for reconsideration of two presidential aspirants in the 2010 elections. This brings to 10 presidential wanabees competing for more than 45 million votes this coming election.

The COMELEC yesterday reconsider its earlier ruling disqualifying Nicanor Perlas, an independent candidate, and Vetallano Acosta of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), the political party of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Accordingly, Perlas was able to convince the commission that he is able to launch a nationwide campaign during the election campaign period and that his name has been covered with major broadsheets and TV networks in the country. In Acosta's case, the polling body said that being the standard bearer of KBL made them decide to reconsider Acosta's motion.

This makes May 2010 elections more exciting. So watch out for the updates. 

Reproductive Health Bill 5043

House Bill No. 5043 is one of the most controversial bills in the Philippines today. It draws criticisms from the Roman Catholic Church and other segments of the society. On the other hand, there are groups and individuals who see the urgency to pass the bill into law to take effect immediately. Below is the full text of the bill. Click this link to view the source.

HOUSE BILL NO. 5043

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A NATIONAL POLICY ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD AND POPULATION DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008“.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State upholds and promotes responsible parenthood, informed choice, birth spacing and respect for life in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards.

The State shall uphold the right of the people, particularly women and their organizations, to effective and reasonable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy.

This policy is anchored on the rationale that sustainable human development is better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive citizens.

The State likewise guarantees universal access to medically-safe, legal, affordable and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children,among other underprivileged sectors.

SEC. 3. Guiding Principles. – This Act declares the following as basic guiding principles:

a. In the promotion of reproductive health, there should be no bias for either modern or natural methods of family planning;

b. Reproductive health goes beyond a demographic target because it is principally about health and rights;

c. Gender equality and women empowerment are central elements of reproductive health and population development;

d. Since manpower is the principal asset of every country, effective reproductive health care services must be given primacy to ensure the birth and care of healthy children and to promote responsible parenting;

e. The limited resources of the country cannot be suffered to, be spread so thinly to service a burgeoning multitude that makes the allocations grossly inadequate and effectively meaningless;

f. Freedom of informed choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be fully guaranteed by the State like the right itself;

g. While the number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs, such concerned parents and couples, including unmarried individuals, should be afforded free and full access to relevant, adequate and correct information on reproductive health and human sexuality and should be guided by qualified State workers and professional private practitioners

h. Reproductive health, including the promotion of breastfeeding, must be the joint concern of the National Government and Local Government Units(LGUs);

i. Protection and promotion of gender equality, women empowerment and human rights, including reproductive health rights, are imperative;

j. Development is a multi-faceted process that calls for the coordination and integration of policies, plans, programs and projects that seek to uplift the quality of life of the people, more particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalized;

k. Active participation by and thorough consultation with concerned non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and communities are imperative to ensure that basic policies, plans, programs and projects address the priority needs of stakeholders;

l. Respect for, protection and fulfillment of reproductive health rights seek to promote not only the rights and welfare of adult individuals and couples but those of adolescents’ and children’s as well; and

m. While nothing in this Act changes the law on abortion, as abortion remains a crime and is punishable, the government shall ensure that women seeking care for post-abortion complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane, non-judgmental and compassionate manner.

SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

a. Responsible Parenthood – refers to the will, ability and cornmitTrient of parents to respond to the needs and aspirations of the family and children more particularly through family planning;

b. Family Planning – refers to a program which enables couple, and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have the information and means to carry out their decisions, and to have informed choice and access to a full range of safe, legal and effective family planning methods, techniques and devices.

c. Reproductive Health -refers to the state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its funcitions and processes. This implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so, provided that these are not against the law. This further implies that women and men are afforded equal status in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction.

d. Reproductive Health Rights – refers to the rights of individuals and couples do decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children; to make other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence; to have the information and means to carry out their decisions; and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

e. Gender Equality – refers to the absence of discrimination on the basis of a person’s sex, in opportunities, allocation of resources and benefits, and access to services.

f. Gender Equity – refers to fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men, and often requires. women-specific projects and programs to eliminate existing inequalities, inequities, policies and practices unfavorable too women.

g. Reproductive Health Care – refers to the availability of and access to a full range of methods, techniques, supplies and services that contribute to reproductive and sexual health and well-being by preventing and solving reproductive health-related problems in order to achieve enhancement of life and personal relations. The elements of reproductive health care include:

1. Maternal, infant and child health and nutrition;
2. Promotion of breastfeeding;
3. Family planning information end services;
4. Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications;
5. Adolescent and youth health;
6. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections (RTIs), HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infections (STIs);
7. Elimination of violence against women;
8. Education and counseling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health;
9. Treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers and other gynecological conditions;
10. Male involvement and participation in reproductive health;,
11. Prevention and treatment of infertility and sexual dysfunction; and
12. Reproductive health education for the youth.

h. Reproductive Health Education – refers to the process of acquiring complete, accurate and relevant information on all matters relating to the reproductive system, its functions and processes and human sexuality; and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, interpersonal relationships, affection, intimacy and gender roles. It also includes developing the necessary skills do be able to distinguish between facts and myths on sex and sexuality; and critically evaluate. and discuss the moral, religious, social and cultural dimensions of related sensitive issues such as contraception and abortion.

i. Male involvement and participation – refers to the involvement, participation, commitment and joint responsibility of men with women in all areas of sexual and reproductive health, as well as reproductive health concerns specific to men.

j. Reproductive tract infection (RTI) – refers do sexually transmitted infections, sexually transmitted diseases and other types of-infections affecting the reproductive system.

k. Basic Emergency Obstetric Care – refers to lifesaving services for maternal complication being provided by a health facility or professional which must include the following six signal functions: administration of parenteral antibiotics; administration of parrenteral oxyttocic drugs; administration of parenteral anticonvulsants for pre-eclampsia and iampsia; manual removal of placenta; and assisted vaginal delivery.

l. Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care – refers to basic emergency obstetric care plus two other signal functions: performance of caesarean section and blood transfusion.

m. Maternal Death Review – refers to a qualitative and in-depth study of the causes of maternal death with the primary purpose of preventing future deaths through changes or additions to programs, plans and policies.

n. Skilled Attendant – refers to an accredited health professional such as a licensed midwife, doctor or nurse who has adequate proficiency and the skills to manage normal (uncomplicated) pregnancies, childbirth and the immediate postnatal period, and in the identification, management and referral of complication in women and newborns.

o. Skilled Attendance – refers to childbirth managed by a skilled attendant under the enabling conditions of a functional emergencyobstetric care and referral system.

p. Development – refers to a multi-dimensional process involving major changes in social structures, popular attitudes, and national institutions as well as the acceleration of economic growth, the reduction of inequality and the eradication of widespread poverty.

q. Sustainable Human Development – refers to the totality of the process of expending human choices by enabling people to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives, affording them access to resources needed for a decent standard of living and assuring continuity and acceleration of development by achieving a balance between and among a manageable population, adequate resources and a healthy environment.

r. Population Development – refers to a program that aims to: (1) help couples and parents achieve their desired family size; (2) improve reproductive health of individuals by addressing reproductive health problems; (3) contribute to decreased maternal and infant mortality rates and early child mortality; (4) reduce incidence of teenage pregnancy; and (5) enable government to achieve a balanced population distribution.

SEC. 5. The Commission on Population (POPCOM). – Pursuant to the herein declared policy, the Commission on Population (POPCOM) shall serve as the central planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring body for the comprehensive and integrated policy on reproductive health and population development. In the implementation of this policy, POPCOM, which shall be an attached agency of the Department of Health (DOH) shall have the following functions:

a. To create an enabling environment for women and couples to make an informed choice regarding the family planning method that is best suited to their needs and personal convictions;

b. To integrate on a continuing basis the interrelated reproductive health and population development agenda into a national policy, taking into account regional and local concerns;

c. To provide the mechanism to ensure active and full participation of the private sector and the citizenry through their organizations in the planning and implementation of reproductive health care and population development programs and projects;

d. To ensure people’s access to medically safe, legal, quality and affordable reproductive health goods and services;

e. To facilitate the involvement and participation of non-government organizations and the private sector in reproductive health care service delivery and in the production, distribution and delivery of quality reproductive: health and family planning supplies and commodities to make them accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens;

f. To fully implement the Reproductive Health Care Program with the following components:

(1) Reproductive health education including but not limited to counseling on the full range of legal and medically-safe family planning methods including surgical methods;
(2) Maternal, pen-natal and post-natal education, care and services;
(3) Promotion of breastfeeding;
(4) Promotion of male involvement, participation and responsibility in reproductive health as well as other reproductive health concerns of men;
(5) Prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications; and
(6) Provision of information and services addressing the reproductive health needs of the poor, senior citizens, women in prostitution, differently-abled persons, and women and children in war AND crisis situations.

g. To ensure that reproductive health services are delivered with a full range of supplies, facilities and equipment and that service providers are adequately trained for reproductive health care;

h. To endeavor to furnish local Family Planning Offices with appropriate information and resources to keep the latter updated on current studies and research relating to family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition;

i. To direct all public hospitals to make available to indigent mothers who deliver their children in these government hospitals, upon the mothers request, the procedure of ligation without cost to her;

j. To recommend the enactment of legislation and adoption of executive measures that will strengthen and enhance the national policy on reproductive health and population development;

k. To ensure a massive and sustained information drive on responsible parenthood and on all methods and techniques to prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies, it shall release information bulletins on the same for nationwide circulation to all government departments, agencies and instrumentalities, non-government organizations and the private sector, schools, public and private libraries, tri-media outlets, workplaces, hospitals and concerned health institutions;

l. To strengthen the capacities of health regulatory agencies to ensure safe, high-quality, accessible, and affordable reproductive health services and commodities with the concurrent strengthening and enforcement of regulatory mandates and mechanisms;

m. To take active steps to expand the coverage of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), especially among poor and marginalized women, to include the full range of reproductive health services and supplies as health insurance benefits; and

n. To perform such other functions necessary to attain the purposes of this Act.

The membership of the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM shall consist of the heads of the following AGENCIES:

1. National Economic DevelopmentAuthority (VEDA)
2. Department of Health (DOH)
3. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
4. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
5. Department of Agriculture (DA)
6. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
7. Department of Education (DepEd)
8. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
9. Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
10. University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI)
11. Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAFI)
12. National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPQ
13. National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW)
14. National Youth Commission (NYC)

In addition to the aforementioned, members, there shall be three private sector representatives to the Board of Commissioners of POPCOM who shall come from NGOs. There shall be one (1) representative each from women, youth and health sectors who have a proven track record of involvement in the promotion of reproductive health. These representatives shall be nominated in a process determined by the above-mentioned sectors, and to be appointed by the President for a term of three (3)years.

SEC. 6. Midwives for Skilled Attendance. -Every city and municipality shall endeavor to employ adequate number of midwives or other skilled attendants to achieve a minimum ratio of one (1)for every one hundred fifty (150) deliveries per year, to be based on the average annual number of actual deliveries or live births for the past two years.

SEC. 7. Emergency Obstetric Care. – Each province. and city shall endeavor to ensure the establishment and operation of hospitals with adequate and qualified personnel that provide emergency obstetric care. For every 500,000 population, there shall be at least one (1) hospital for comprehensive emergency obstetric care and four (4) hospitals for basic emergency obstetric care.

SEC. 8. Maternal Death Review. – All LGUs, national and local government hospitals, and other public health units shall conduct maternal death review in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in consultation with the POPCOM.

SEC. 9. Hospital-Based Family Planning. -Tubal ligation, vasectomy, intrauterine device insertion and other family planning methods requiring hospital services shall be available in all national and local government hospitals, except: in specialty hospitals which may render such services on an optional basis. For indigent patients, such services shall be fully covered by PhilHealth insurance and/or government financial assistance.

SEC. 10. Contraceptives as Essential Medicines. – Hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the category of essential medicines and supplies which shall form part of the National Drug Formulary and the same shall be included in the regular purchase of essential medicines and supplies of all national and lord hospitals and other government health units.

SEC. 11. Mobile Health Care Service. -Each Congressional District shall be provided with a van to be known as the Mobile Health Care Service (MHOS) to deliver health care goods and services to its constituents, more particularly to the poor and needy, as well as disseminate knowledge and information on reproductive health: Provided, That reproductive health education shall be conducted by competent and adequately trained persons preferably reproductive health care providers: Provided, further, That the full range of family planning methods, both natural and modern, shall be promoted.

The acquisition, operation and maintenance of the MRCS shall be funded from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of each Congressional District.

The MHCS shall be adequately equipped with a wide range of reproductive health care materials and information dissemination devices and equipment, the latter including but not limited to, a television set for audio-visual presentation.

SEC. 12. Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health Education. – Recognizing the importance of reproductive health rights in empowering the youth and developing them into responsible adults, Reproductive Health Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School. In order to assure the prior training of teachers on reproductive health, the implementation of Reproductive Health Education shall commence at the start of the school year one year following the effectivity of this Act. The POPCOM, in coordination with the Department of Education, shall formulate the Reproductive Health Education curriculum, which shall be common to both public and private schools and shall include related population and development concepts in addition to the following subjects and standards:

a. Reproductive health and sexual rights;
b. Reproductive health care and services;
c. Attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual health;
d. Proscription and hazards of abortion and management of post-abortion complications;
e. Responsible parenthood.
f. Use and application of natural and modern family planning methods to promote reproductive health, achieve desired family size and prevent unwanted, unplanned and mistimed pregnancies;
g. Abstinence before marriage;
h. Prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other, STIs/STDs, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and other gynecological disorders;
i. Responsible sexuality; and
j. Maternal, peri-natal and post-natal education, care and services.

In support of the natural, and primary right of parents in the rearing of the youth, the POPCOM shall provide concerned parents with adequate and relevant scientific materials on the age-appropriate topics and manner of teaching reproductive health education to their children.

In the elementary level, reproductive health education shall focus, among others, on values formation.

Non-formal education programs shall likewise include the abovementioned reproductive Health Education.

SEC. 13. Additional Duty of Family Planning 0ffice. – Each local Family Planning Office shall furnish for free instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition to all applicants for marriage license.

SEC. 14. Certificate of Compliance. – No marriage license shall be issued by the Local Civil Registrar unless the applicants present a Certificate of Compliance issued for free by the local Family Planning Office certifying that they had duly received adequate instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition.

SEC. 15. Capability Building of Community-Based Volunteer Workers. – Community-based volunteer workers, like but not limited to, Barangay Health Workers, shall undergo additional and updated training on the delivery of reproductive health care services and shall receive not less than 10% increase in honoraria upon successful completion of training. The increase in honoraria shall be funded from the Gender and Development (GAD) budget of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

SEC. 16. Ideal Family Size. – The State shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than two children.

SEC. 17. Employers’ Responsibilities. – Employers shall respect the reproductive health rights of all their workers. Women shall not be discriminated against in the matter of hiring, regularization of employment status or selection for retrenchment.

All Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) shall provide for the free delivery by the employer of reasonable quantity of reproductive health care services, supplies and devices to all workers, more particularly women workers. In establishments or enterprises where there are no CBAs or where the employees are unorganized, the employer shall have the same obligation.

SEC. 18. Support of Private and Non-government Health Care Service Providers. – Pursuant to Section 5(b) hereof, private reproductive health care service providers, including but not limited to gynecologists and obstetricians, are encouraged to join their colleagues in non-government organizations in rendering such services free of charge or at reduced professional fee rates to indigent and low income patients.

SEC. 19. Multi-Media Campaign. – POPCOM shall initiate and sustain an intensified nationwide multi-media campaign to raise the level of public awareness on the urgent need to protect and promote reproductive health and rights.

SEC. 20. Reporting Requirements. – Before the end of April of each year,the DOH shall submit an annual report to the President of the Philippines, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on a definitive and comprehensive assessment of the implementation of this Act and shall make the necessary recommendations for executive and legislative action. The report shall be posted in the website of DOH and printed copies shall be made available to all stakeholders.

SEC. 21. Prohibited Acts. – The following acts are prohibited:

a) Any health care service provider, whether public or private, who shall:

1. Knowingly withhold information or impede the dissemination thereof, and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive health including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods;

2. Refuse to perform voluntary ligation and vasectomy and other legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of spousal consent or authorization.

3. Refuse to provide reproductive health care services to an abused minor, whose abused condition is certified by the proper official or personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or to duly DSWD-certified abused pregnant minor on whose case no parental consent is necessary.

4. Fail to provide, either deliberately or through gross or inexcusable negligence, reproductive health care services as mandated under this Act, the Local Government Code of 1991, the Labor Code, and Presidential Decree 79, as amended; and

5. Refuse to extend reproductive health care services and information on account of the patient’s civil status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, personal circumstances, and nature of work; Provided, That all conscientious objections of health care service providers based on religious grounds shall be respected: Provided, further, That the conscientious objector shall immediately refer the person seeking such care and services to another health care service provider within the same facility or one which is conveniently accessible: Provided, finally, That the patient is not in an emergency or serious case as defined in RA 8344 penalizing the refusal of hospitals and medical clinics to administer appropriate initial medical treatment and support in emergency and serious cases.

b) Any public official who prohibits or restricts personally or through a subordinate the delivery of legal and medically-safe reproductive health care services, including family planning;

c) Any employer who shall fail to comply with his obligation under Section 17 of this Act or an employer who requires a female applicant or employee, as a condition for employment or continued employment, to involuntarily undergo sterilization, tubal ligation or any other form of contraceptive method;

d) Any person who shall falsify a certificate of compliance as required in Section 14 of this Act; and

e) Any person who maliciously engages in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act.

SEC. 22. Penalties. – The proper city or municipal court shall exercise jurisdiction over violations of this Act and the accused who is found guilty shall be sentenced to an imprisonment ranging from one (1) month to six (6) months or a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. If the offender is a juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the president, treasurer, secretary or any responsible officer. An offender who is an alien shall, after service of sentence, be deported immediately without further proceedings by the Bureau of Immigration. An offender who is a public officer or employee shall suffer the accessory penalty of dismissal from the government service.

Violators of this Act shall be civilly liable to the offended party in such amount at the discretion of the proper court.

SEC. 23. Appropriations. – The amounts appropriated in the current annual General Appropriations Act for reproductive health and family planning under the DOH and POPCOM together with ten percent (10%) of the Gender and Development (GAD) budgets of all government departments, agencies, bureaus, offices and instrumentalities funded in the annual General Appropriations Act in accordance with Republic Act No. 7192 (Women in Development and Nation-building Act) and Executive Order No. 273 (Philippine Plan for Gender Responsive Development 1995-2025) shall be allocated and utilized for the implementation of this Act. Such additional sums as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act shall be Included in the subsequent years’ General Appropriations Acts.

SEC. 24. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Health shall promulgate, after thorough consultation with the Commission on Population (POPCOM), the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), concerned non-government organizations (NGOs) and known reproductive health advocates, the requisite implementing rules and regulations.

SEC. 25. Separability Clause. – If any part, section or provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 26. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, Orders, issuances, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 27. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.