QC dad seeks sex ed for students

Quezon City Councilor Joseph Juico has filed a propose measure to institute sex education for students from grade five up to fourth year high school.
Under Juico’s proposal, students would be taught “responsible sexuality and reproductive health rights in age-appropriate manner in order to address the population problems in Quezon City,” according to a statement issued by the city government.

La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, who heads the city’s anti-poverty integration task force, supports Juico’s measure, saying that “sustainable social development is better assured with a manageable population of healthy, educated and productive citizens.”

Juico said the measure could enhance the city health department’s capability to address the family planning needs of married couples so the city could minimize unwanted pregnancies.

Data collected by Dr. Jonathan Flavier shows that the city government’s encouragement of family planning has resulted in a continuing reduction of live births per 1,000 population and maternal deaths per 100,000 married women of reproductive age in Quezon City for over a 10-year period from 1996 to 2006, according to Abad-Sarmiento.

“The data shows that we in Quezon City are in the right direction towards a manageable population goal through local government support for family planning,” said Abad-Sarmiento, who is also the head of the QC Sikap Buhay and Cooperatives Center, the office implementing the city’s microfinance program for the poor.

She also echoed the view of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. that husbands and wives must have only as many children that they can nurture.

Belmonte has reiterated that his administration is willing to help those who want to plan their families but are unable to do so for lack of know-how and resources.

If Juico’s proposed measure is approved, the city government will allocate P12 million for its implementation.