MARAMI nang pagkakataon na may mga babaing naharap sa hindi pinlanong pagbubuntis ang nakaiisip ipa-abort ang kanilang sanggol.
Ang ganitong nagiging desisyon nila ay bunsod ng iba’t ibang dahilan, partikular ang pangambang baka maging malaking kahihiyan nila ito at kanilang pamilya, o baka hindi nila mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang bata laluna’t hindi nito kapiling ang ama.
Ayon kay Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, “Naniniwala ako na maraming babae ang mas pipiliin pa ring isilang ang kanilang sanggol lalo na kung alam nilang maraming nakahandang tumulong sa kanila sa porma ng supportive counseling, parenting assistance, at iba pa.
Dagdag niya, “Itinatakda ng ating Saligang Batas na ‘The State shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth… shall receive the support of the government.”
Kaugnay nito ay isinusulong niya ang Senate Bill 547 (Women and Children’s Resources Act – establishing a national program that will provide pregnant women with alternatives to abortion).
Ito ang ilan sa isinasaad ng panukala:
A.) This bill seeks to establish a national program to promote childbirth as a viable and positive alternative to abortion and empower those facing unplanned or crisis pregnancies to choose childbirth; and to extend support to entities and projects that provide alternative-to-abortion services (information and counseling that promotes childbirth instead of abortion) and support services (including the provision of self-administered pregnancy testing; baby food; maternity and baby clothing; baby furniture; information and education regarding prenatal care, childbirth, adoption, parenting, and chastity (or abstinence).
B.) The program will give priority to serving eligible individuals who are from low-income families.
C.) The Department of Health shall enter into contracts with nonprofit private entities that shall have the principal responsibility for administering the program.