THE Gabriela party-list has supported the inclusion of sex education in the country's school curriculum.
But sex education should concentrate on awareness of an individual's reproductive health and responsibilities of caring for their bodies, not the act itself, said Innabuyog-Gabriela spokesperson Vernie Diano.
"Sex education should be something which enables pupils and the youth to be aware of their reproductive system and health and become more responsible in the use of their bodies," Diano said.
The national leadership of the Gabriela also supports sex education in Philippine public schools.
Gabriela party-list representative Luz Ilagan was quoted in the Philippine Star as saying she urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to pursue the initiation of sex education in schools despite objections primarily from the Catholic Church and parents.
Ilagan said sex education should be taught to children who are at least nine years old.
She said the petition filed at the Supreme Court by those who opposed to implementing sex education should not deter the education department from pursuing it.
A class suit against DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno and Undersecretary Ramon Bacani was recently filed by 27 individuals.
Part of the suit is a prayer for the issuance of a restraining order on the implementation of sex education in public schools.
But as some sectors are still debating, here in the Cordillera region, schools in Ifugao and Mountain Province will pilot the integration of sex education in their curriculum this school year.
In an earlier report, DepEd-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Josefina Tamondong said 47 elementary and high schools from the two provinces will be part of the 250 schools to pilot sex education.
Modules specifically prepared by experts from the department will be taught to elementary and high school students in the towns of Lagawe, Asipulo, Tinoc, Alfonso Lista, Lamut and Banaue in Ifugao; and Bontoc, Sagada, Paracelis, Barlig and Tadian in Mountain Province.
The sex education project is allowed by the United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency, which promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.
The modules focus on human sexuality and a male and female's environmental influences like peer pressure, are among the topics.
Classroom discussions on sex on the other hand, is not about the sex act but on the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values and the norms of interpersonal relations to avoid pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy. (Rimaliza Opiña)