Women's health in the hands of senators and congressmen

For more than 10 years, concerned citizens have been lobbying for the passage of a reproductive health bill, but have been frustrated by stern opposition from the Roman Catholic hierarchy. The passage of the latest bill titled, “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development and for Other Purposes,” now lies in the hands of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

But again, the church, along with anti-RH lay proponents, have been spreading misinformation about the bill (like saying it is for abortion and encouraging promiscuity among others), and warning pro-RH Catholic legislators of losing in the 2013 elections if they vote for the bill’s passage.

The misinformation being peddled by the clergy has compelled a group of RH supporters to place an ad in newspapers calling on the lawmakers to listen not to what the bishops say, but to the millions of Filipinos who want such a bill passed. “Sino ang BOSS ninyo?” (Who is your boss), the ad asks. “Ang taong bayan ang Boss ninyo, HINDI ang mga Obispo!” (The people are your boss, not the bishops.)

The ad cites empirical evidence that backs the critical need for the RH bill. Surveys show the following:

• Filipino mothers die each day due to pregnancy, and childbirth-related complications have increased from 11 in 2006 to 15 in 2011 (National Statistics  Office, Family Health Survey 2006 and 2012).

• About 25 million Filipinos live in absolute poverty, many of them couples having more children than they want and can provide for.

• Half of all pregnancies (about 1.9 million) are unplanned or unintended. (University of the Philippines Population Institute/Likhaan 2009)

• Teen pregnancies have risen from 14 percent to 19 percent during 2006 -2011 (Family Health survey 2011).

• Eighty percent of Filipinos say that Family Planning is a personal choice and that no one should interfere with it (Social Weather Station, 2011).

• Seventy percent of Filipinos are in favor of Reproductive Health/Family Planning (SWS surveys).

Signatories of the message stress that while government works “to improve our economy and the lives of our people, poverty continues to rise. There are 25 million Filipinos living in absolute poverty according to official data, but this reality is made worse by the fact that most of the poor have more than they want and can provide for. They have more children than intended due to lack of accurate information on and services for family planning. Their children are deprived of opportunities to live decent and fulfilling lives. And many poor mothers die giving life.”

“Providing basic education and health care, housing and food, as well as creating jobs for the poor are the Government’s responsibilities, not the Catholic Church hierarchy’s who do not have the knowledge, capacity or even willingness to assume such responsibilities and burdens,” the signatories say.

“Are the empty threats from leaders of the Catholic Church more important than the threat of rising cases of HIV and AIDS, which has reached an alarming rate of one HIV infection every four hours?” ask the signatories.

“We believe that the more than 10 years of repetitive debates among members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are more than enough time to arrive at a decisive vote on the bill.”

The signatories have come together to make their “collective voice heard on the critical importance of the RH bill for the well-being of women, children, families, and the country’s long-term development. Most of us are Catholics who believe that reproductive health is a basic right and, hence, strongly support the passage of the RH bill.”

Filipinos, regardless of socioeconomic status and religion, have the right and the opportunity to live healthy, dignified and fulfilling lives, say the signatories, well-respected business executives, academicians and health professionals. “But this aspiration will not be attained if mothers and children are unable to access the full range of reproductive health services and information as intended by Senate Bill 2865 and House Bill 4244 providing a government policy framework for responsible parenthood, reproductive health, and population development.”

The signatories, well-respected businessmen, academicians and health professionals are Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Luz Frances Chua, Fidel V. Ramos, Cesar E.A. Virata, Oscar Lopez, Benjamin de Leon, Bishop Rodrigo Tano, Dr. Edelina dela Paz, Dr. Eden Divinagracia, Dr. Junice Melgar, Elizabeth Ansioco, Atty. Elizabeth Aguiling-Pangalangan, Gessen Rocas, Rosario Tanada, Alvin Dakis, Gibby Gorres, Dr. Esperanza Cabral, Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia, Dr. Jaime Z. Galvez-Tan, Roberto A.O. Nebrida, Romeo Dongeto, Cyndy Tan Jarabata, Red Tani, Rodelio Ablir, HOMENET Philippines, UP Economists, UP Institute of Human Rights, ReproCen, Alliance of Young Nurses Leaders & Advocates, International, Inc.,  Alliance of Young Health Advocates, Student Nurses Alliance of the Philippines,  Reproductive Health Advocacy Network, and RHAN.

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Remember that child protégé playing the violin at age 5, named Deo Babes Saraza?

He was a Promil signature endorser.

He will have his concert at Faith Academy in Cainta, Rizal, on September 2, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the sponsorship of Standard Insurance Company, performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E-minor.

He is enjoying his break from the Juilliard School, the foremost school for musicians around the world. While at home, Deo jams it up with the Praise and Worship Team of Village Baptist Church in Paranaque City.

He is currently an incoming senior at the Juilliard School studying under the tutelage of Prof. Stephen Clapp.

Deo recently had a performance with the Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines performing Tchaickovsky’s violin concerto that won the 2011 Concert of the Year Award given by the Manila Bulletin.

Deo had his concert debut with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble at Julia Richman Auditorium in New York. He was a prizewinner of the Juilliard School’s William Schuman Competition and was featured in a long tradition all-sonata concert of the Juilliard School called “Sonatenabend”.

He moved to New York in the summer of 2005 to pursue his studies in violin at the Mannes College, Preparatory Division. He was under the tutelage of respected violin pedagogue, Dr. Chin Kim. In 2006, he joined the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival in Vermont and played the Khachaturian Violin Concerto for the opening concert.

Much more, in 2007, he won the Friday-Woodmere Young Artist Competition in Hewlett, NY and he was featured in WQXR 96.3’s Rob Sherman’s Young Artist Showcase.

Also, in 2008, he won the Mannes Concerto Competition that led him to a performance with the Mannes Philharmonic under the baton of Michael Adelson. Later that year, he became the concertmaster of the Mannes Philharmonic.

In addition, his chamber group won the American Teacher’s League Competition in 2009. His group was later featured in the prestigious Carnegie Hall.

He had his homecoming concert in the Philippines with the Manila Symphony Orchestra entitled “Symphonic Virtuosity” with the respected conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Mr. Christoph Poppen.

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My e-mail: [email protected].