Monday, February 18, 2008 Bohol leaders test clout, push for new Health Code By Jujemay G. Awit Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BOHOL may be considered a deeply religious province, but this will not stop its legislators from enacting the Reproductive Health Code.
Cebu’s neighboring province will tackle the proposed code within the week.
Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado is positive it will be passed. He is currently reading the final draft, which will be submitted to the Bohol Provincial Board (PB) during their regular session.
When told of Aumentado’s optimism, Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera, the presiding officer, just smiled. Herrera noted the strong opposition from the church in their province.
The vice governor said he will know just how much clout the church has once the proposed ordinance will reach the board. He is a co-sponsor of the proposal.
The draft code provides for a comprehensive communication plan that will include the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (Aids).
Counseling services will be available in health facilities, schools and barangay multi-purpose halls, and a Reproductive Health Care Council will be created, chaired by the governor, if the code survives.
Family planning services will also be available for clients and reproductive health and sexuality education for in-school and out-of-school youths.
Money
What is potentially controversial for the church is the issue of appropriations—for instance, whether an ordinance will allocate funds to buy modern contraceptives. The proposed Bohol Reproductive Health Care Code of 2007 does not have such a specific provision.
It states: “There shall be funds for the development of a comprehensive plan that will strengthen and enhance the information dissemination of accurate and correct facts and figures on reproductive health care services.”
The municipality of Carmen was bolder in its ordinance.
Carmen, Bohol has allocated P50,000 for reproductive health advocacy and another P50,000 for the purchase of modern contraceptives like pills, intra-uterine devices (IUD) and injectible contraceptives.
Carmen Vice Mayor Ramonito Torrefranca explained to reporters that they conducted public hearings before the ordinance was passed. While there was opposition, especially from conservative individuals, it was not strong enough to prevent the enactment of the ordinance, he added.
Double
Torrefranca admitted, however, that there is stiff opposition from the church.
Aumentado said that the Provincial Government had to handle the opposition the best way it can, through explanation.
He described older priests as more conservative, while younger priests are more understanding of the government’s reproductive health measures.
Aumentado also explained that the proposed code is not about population control, but population management.
If Bohol does not manage its population, it is expected to double in 20 years.
“I’m very concerned about population because we used to be a member of Club 20,” said Aumentado, referring to the 20 poorest provinces in the country.
Bohol has since freed itself of the label and Aumentado fears that if they cannot contain the province’s population increase, it will not sustain its poverty reduction measures.
In 2005, the province of Aurora in Central Luzon, also one of the 20 poorest provinces in the country, also passed a Reproductive Health Code.
