CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto has criticized the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) bill pushed by some congressmen.
Citing the irreversible consequences of the reproductive agenda, Aniceto said that if population is reduced within 20 years, the Philippines will experience a "demographic winter."
"The population will steadily go down composed of aging persons without any replacement. This will have a serious effect on the economy of the country especially on its pension plans because no more tax payers will be born," he said.
The proposed measure is sponsored by Representatives Edcel Lagman, Arthur Pingoy Jr., Reynaldo Uy, Janette Garin, Narciso Santiago and Ana Theresa Hontiveros- Baraquel.
Aniceto said the bill is unjust to Catholics. "The funds which will be used in acquiring contraceptives from foreign pharmaceutical companies will come from the catholic funds," he said.
He stressed that the Catholic Church shares the issue with families, family movements, non-government organizations, civic and socio-civic organizations, professionals and military. "They are also members of their family," he said
The bill, according to Aniceto, is a contradiction in terms because it does not reproduce because it prevents procreation. "It's not healthy because it causes abortion and cancer," he said.
Sun.Star learned that there is an ongoing signature campaign against the bill and campaigners are out to gather one million signatures.
The prelate affirmed the reports saying that the 65 dioceses in the country will make their own signature campaign against the bill.
"I urged every Kapampangan and every citizen to pray for the people behind this bill so they may be guided in their search for the truth and for the good of the people," said Aniceto.
