Thursday, January 31, 2008 Bayawan mayor advocates condom By Edmund B. Sestoso
BAYAWAN City Mayor German Saraña Jr. recently vowed to support the reproductive health rights enhancement campaign for both men and women as a way of resolving the increasing population in the country, his city included.
Saraña also batted for the continuance of the advertisement campaign on the use of contraceptives including pills and condoms.
The mayor's reaction came after some religious groups in Metro Manila pushed for a nationwide abolition of the ads on contraceptives in television, radio and print media.
He explained that the contraceptives advertisement is a practical way of educating the young people who are the most common victims of sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies.
He also said the move is in line with the national government's effort to address the population growth of the country.
Records showed that the city has an increase in population compared to previous years.
The mayor explained this is due to teenage and unplanned pregnancies.
There are other ways to do family planning and the use of contraceptives is only one of them, he added.
Last year, the Department of Health (DOH) in Negros Oriental recorded an increase in the number of patients infected with sexually transmitted diseases.
The government hospital refused to divulge further information saying this might hamper the rights of patients availing of government benefits due to them.
