Thursday, August 14, 2008 More UP economic professors back RH bill
MAJORITY of the University of the Philippines (UP) economic professors have expressed support for the reproductive health (RH) bill and the promotion of contraceptives.
During Wednesday's press forum, 27 of the 32 economics professors of the state university have released a position paper supporting the RHB.
"Espousing 'natural family planning only' is a position inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the bill and reflects a lack of seriousness in pursuing a long-term economic development and poverty reduction," they said.
Dr. Ernest Pernia, one of the signatories of the paper, revealed that they have thoroughly reviewed the provisions in the bill before coming up with their common stand.
"It's not easy to get 27 economists to agree to RHB. But in this, we agreed on the importance of the proposal to reduce poverty and (pursue) a long-term economic development," he said.
The professors said the government acknowledges the "difficulties posed for development by rapid population growth, especially among the poorest Filipinos."
However, they noted that there are some provisions in the bill that they "understand but do not necessary support."
Among these: whether the government should subsidize family planning by the unmarried; whether reproductive health and sex education in public schools should be compulsory; and that what grade-level it should start.
Likewise, they found it difficult to defend the "notion of two children being the ideal family size as stated in Section 13 of the bill.
The Catholic Church expressed opposition to the bill, which is pending before the House of Representatives. (FP/Sunnex)
