Family planning aims call for the passage of RH Bill

The Family Planning Organization of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet chapter, in their general assembly Saturday, reiterates their call for the passage of a reproductive health law.

FPOP National and Baguio-Benguet chapter president and City Council Committee for Social Services, Women and Urban poor chair Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, in a statement, stressed that in line with their advocacy and support for a passage of an RH law, is their adoption of their overarching slogan, "No woman should die giving life."

According to Tabanda, FPOP is a human rights-based organization and does not impose family planning on couples, as they also respect their rights to decide for their own family.

She explained that the the House Bill 4244, The Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development, also known as the RH Bill, pending proposal in Congress, also respects human life and does not provide for abortion, as our constitution already prohibits abortion in the country.

She also clarified that the proposed RH bill also does not provide a limit to the number of children for each couple, though she also reminds couples about responsible parenthood so as for them to decide on the number of their children based on their capability - financially, emotionally and capacity to provide physical care for children.

FPOP is a nationwide, multi-sectoral organization of volunteers, whose vision is to have a world where every woman, man and young person has access to sexuality and reproductive health information and services they need and sexuality is seen as a natural and precious part of human life and a fundamental human right.

FPOP champion sexuality and reproductive health right through advocacy and provision of services especially to the poor, marginalized, socially-excluded and undeserved, including the young people.

Here in Baguio-Benguet area, in 2011, FPOP, through its various program and services, has served 5,225 clients, of whom 4,750 belong to the PMSEU sector.

FPOP's goal focuses on 5As –access in information and services; adolescent and young people; AIDS; Abortion, prevention of and management of its complications and Advocacy. As for medical services, they provide Family Planning, Maternal Health, child Health, laboratory tests, reproductive health and medical consultations.

For other programs, Tabanda also disclosed that they have provision of Pap smear for mothers and offers discount on their services for young mothers, on top of their CHOICES, MISP and Cervical Cancer Screening and Testing programs.

As a special project, FPOP also has the Rhapsody Project, wherein in partnership with the Family Planning Association of China, they provide health services with minimal amount to OFWs in Hong Kong. - PIA — ARA