Advocates call on SC to implement RH law

MANILA Philippines - Advocates and proponents of the controversial Reproductive Health Law on Wednesday called on the Supreme Court to rule in favor of the measure when the justices deliberate it on April 8 in Baguio City.

Members of the Purple Ribbon for RH Movement said the surge of teenage pregnancies in the country has been alarming , citing the latest data from the National Statistics Office.

NSO figures show that in 2010, 570 girls, with ages below 19 years old, give birth everyday, the group said, noting that the numbers maybe higher from 2011 to 2013.

"The RH Law mandates a set of measures to lessen teen pregnancies : age-appropriate sexuality education; voluntary family planning services for teen parents and minors with parental consent; and life-saving skilled birth attendance and emergency obstetric care," the group said in a statement.

"We urge the Supreme Court to see the RH Law as it truly is: a social justice program that, among others, gives poor teenagers a better chance in life before they become parents...Please declare the RH Law constitutional," it added.

The National Youth Commission echoed the group's call, noting that over 12 percent of the mothers who gave birth in 2010 are 19 years old and below.

NYC Commissioner Perci Cendana said that since the High Court issued the status quo ante order on the implementation of RH Law, the grave effects of the delay of its imposition have been felt by the youth.

"The Philippines has the highest rate of increase in teen pregnancy. What is more alarming is while the country is registering a spike in incidence, the rates of teenage pregnancy in other countries in the region are actually declining," Cendana said.