DAVAO City Council’s discussion of the proposed resolutions on Reproductive Health (RH) Bill is set for next week's regular session.

The City Council convened Tuesday for a closed-door executive session before convening for the regular session at 10 a.m.

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Council floor leader Danilo Dayanghirang said the pending resolutions, which is now up for second reading, was one of the matters discussed during the executive session.

"Maybe next week na ang discussion nito. Since we cannot discuss it today (Tuesday) then maybe next week na ito madidiscuss," Dayanghirang said through phone interview.

In Tuesday’s session, pro and con arguments were well represented as "Yes" and "No" to RH Bill supporters took either side of the audience seats of the session hall wearing "Yes to RH Bill" and "No to RH Bill" signs.

In their privilege speeches, Councilors Teresita Mata-Maraon and resolution proponent Angela Librado-Trininad were given 10 minutes each to air their points as the council session was under time constraint.

Maraon was unable to finish her speech but vowed to express her disapproval to the two resolutions of Librado: one sought the establishment of an RH clinic in the city, and another sought a unified stand from the Council to express support to the RH Bill at the national level.

Maraon reiterated that the bill is anti-life and is against the Catholic faith. "RH is anti-life. The bill's provision on 'Management of Post Abortion Complication’ is condoning abortion in the guise of health. These are the very words used in countries that promote abortion."

"RH is offensive to Catholic Faith. We believe that the human body is sacred and sexuality is a gift. Any sexual activity implies a great commitment, that is within marriage," Maraon said.

The bill, Maraon said, seeks to legislate safe sex through contraceptives. RH under the bill "is defined as safe and satisfying sex life without the mention of status and age."

Librado, chair of City Council committee on women, children, and family relations, said the approval of the RH Bill does not legitimize abortion.

"Abortion is still punishable law. Passing this law will not legalize abortion," Librado said.

"I agree that population is not the issue. We have to face the issues squarely. This is not to promote promiscuity. This is respecting the right of the people to information and avoid ignorance-caused problems of unplanned and dangerous pregnancy, and to avoid sexually transmitted diseases including HIV," Librado said.

"This ordinance on RH will allow the citizens to have the advantage of having a definite local health policy. By supporting the bill, we will be one with the country in admitting that there is a problem that needs to be addressed and religious freedom and the freedom of choice will be respected and fulfilled," Librado said.

Commenting on Librado's speech, Couple's for Christ Davao City Council member Alan Baio said if the RH Bill's much concern is on family planning, then the answer is discipline.

"Ang concern kasi diyan is kung ang contraception hindi magwork. What's next? Once there's been a mentality that contraception is acceptable, ano ang susunod diyan na acceptable? Abortion na ang iisipin as pwede that's why we say it's still anti-life even if technically wala sa provisions ang abortion," Librado said.

Councilor Diosdado Mahipus clarified his stand on the resolution.

"Our population growth in 1970 has been equally with Thailand. Now Thailand has a population of 60 million residents and is 3 times wealthier than Philippines. Meanwhile we have a population of 90 million and we continue to rise in number and getting poorer," Mahipus said.

"I am basically a prolife supporter. I have my own disagreements of the proposed RH Bill but let us consider the problems associated to population. I hope that prolife advocates like me will also find ways and means to solve the problems associated to population," Mahipus said.