Reproductive Health Bill

Glecee Mae R. Mamaril B-216
The Reproductive Health Bill, popularly known as the RH Bill, is a Philippine bill promoting information on and access to both natural and modern family planning methods. The first time the Reproductive Health Bill was proposed was in 1998. During the present 15th Congress, the RH Bills filed are those authored by six members of the House of Representatives, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the Senate. On January 31, 2011, these bills were consolidated into a single RH Bill which was then unanimously approved for plenary debate by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations. One of the main concerns of the bill is that the population of the Philippines makes it “the 12th most populous nation in the world today”, that the Filipino women’s fertility rate is “at the upper bracket of 206 countries.” It states that studies and surveys show “that the Filipinos are responsive to having smaller-sized families through free choice of family planning methods.” It also refers to studies which “show that rapid population growth exacerbates poverty while poverty spawns rapid population growth.” And so it aims for improved quality of life through a “consistent and coherent national population policy.”

RH bill constitutes the information and access to natural and modern family planning, maternal, infant and child health and nutrition, promotion of breast feeding, prevention of abortion and management of post-abortion complications , adolescent and youth health, prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, such as HIV/AIDS and STDs, elimination of violence against women, counselling on sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, treatment of breast and reproductive tract cancers , male involvement and participation in RH, prevention and treatment of infertility and , RH education for the youth. And basically, it introduces the use of contraceptives. The term "contraceptive" denotes anything that is intended to prevent pregnancy during heterosexual vaginal intercourse or, in the form of emergency contraceptives, to end a potential pregnancy within the first few days after a sexual encounter. The most commonly used contraceptives are so-called "barrier" contraceptives such as condoms, cervical sponges, diaphragms and spermicidal agents. There are also certain hormonal medications, taken in the form of a pill, shot, patch or implant, which keep her from actually becoming pregnant. There are also IUD's (intrauterine devices), which are placed inside of the uterus to prevent a pregnancy from occurring. There are many potential benefits of contraceptives. To begin with, they are used by many as a form of family planning that allows for sex without the inevitable result of children. Some contraceptives, such as condoms, can also help to keep sexually transmitted diseases from spreading. Contraceptives are also useful tools in modern society as a form of advancement and liberation for women. Sexually active women in modern society can use contraceptives to ensure that they are able to pursue a career or education while also engaged in a heterosexual romantic relationship.

Reproductive Health is all about the state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. This implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so, provided that these are not against the law. This further implies that women and men are afforded equal status in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction. RH bill, if able to pass as a law, will be a great remedy for our growing population. Also, poverty will be lessen because if population is not that big, there will be just enough job for everyone. And therefore, I think it will be the key to an improved and stable family life.