Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Schools thumb down reproductive health bill
THE education sector in Dumaguete City has strongly opposed the passage of the controversial reproductive health bill, citing moral issues.
A top official of the Catholic-run Saint Paul's University in Dumaguete (SPUD) strongly opposed the move, saying it is against the Christian teachings and norms and against the human existence.
Saint Paul's Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Batchiba Lacdo-o said the school is aligned with the position taken by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemning the reproductive health bill and supporting the moves to abort its passage.
Sharing Dr. Lacdoo's position is Dr. Victoria P. Dinopol, Vice-President for Academic Affairs of the government-run Negros Oriental State University, who explained that the measure ultimately leads to abortion and "as a good Catholic, I am strongly against it."
She also said sex education is not needed and should not be taught in elementary and high school, adding that this will only take precious time away from the subject areas that needed the most attention.
However, newly retired Department of Education (DepEd) Provincial Supervisor Dr. Licerio Napao rejected such views and insisted that sex education should be taught among elementary students starting Grade Three.
"Had the signature drive of pro-choice activists reached me, I would have affixed my signature," said Napao.
"Do they want the children to be discussing about this in the streets? That is dreadful! Why not talk about it inside the classroom with their teachers?" Napao asked.
Although born and raised a Catholic, Napao thinks the Church has gone overboard in its opposition to the bill.
He underscores the need to manage the population now and laments that sometimes the Church is not helping the society at all.
Nevertheless, Dr. Lacdo-o and SPUD expressed readiness to join mass actions if the Church requires it to further dramatize their vehement opposition to the reproductive health bill.
