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Lady Solon clarifies report on the UN Population Funding, Advocates laud Sen. Marcos for raising LGU role during RH hearing and Visayas Mayors tackle P-Noy’s health agenda

Posted on September 6th By vigie llorin-plcpd

Lady Solon clarifies report on the UN Population Funding

Iloilo Representative Janette L. Garin clarifies that as far as she knows the United Nations (UN) funding support for family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) is intended for meeting the Millennium Development targets in reducing maternal mortality and improving the maternal and child health situation in the country and is not envisioned to control the growth of population.

Rep. Garin said that she is not aware of the plan of UN to withdraw their support for family planning in the country and that they are here to stay for their programs which will be more comprehensive and more focused come 2012.

According to Rep. Garin, one of the main authors of the highly clamored RH bill, the UN has existing programs in various provinces of the country that assist poor areas as they provide family planning services and contraceptive support for Local Government Units (LGUs) wanting to help women and couples meet their family planning needs.

“Currently, UN Population Fund support programs that help improves maternal and infant health, as well as other family planning services,” Garin said.

Being one of the RH main authors Garin is thankful that UN is supportive of having a national policy on reproductive health.

Garin explains, “UN’s support on the country’s family planning program is very much valued. “And even after the enactment of the proposed RH bill, UN’s support will still be needed only to startup the program implementation,” she stressed

Advocates laud Sen. Marcos for raising LGU role during RH hearing

Local Government Units (LGUs) are desirous to provide Reproductive Health (RH) services to their poor constituents but they lack policy mechanism to do so, says Sen. Bongbong Marcos during the plenary debate of the highly clamored RH bill in the Senate.

In the middle of Sen. Sotto’s interpellation, Sen. Marcos stood up to make manifestations sharing his experience as Governor of Ilocos Norte.

Sen. Sotto opines that a woman who wants to avail of contraceptive methods that are not available in her barangay can go to a TV public service program or to the Department of Health (DOH) or borrow money from their barangay.

“This kind of problem come to us very often, this is precisely why I throw my support on the RH bill,” Sen. Marcos said.

Citing personal local experience Sen. Marcos emphasized, “even if Local Government Units (LGUs) wanted to provide help, they don’t. They don’t, not because it is not their desire to provide help, they don’t because there are no clear guidelines and that there is no funding for the LGUs to provide RH services.”

He said, “kung bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga LGUs na makatulong, I assure you LGUs will do.” “However,” Sen. Marcos added, “It does not boil down to money alone, under the auspices of this proposed law; LGUs can also provide the education facet (of RH) that is very, very important.”

Meanwhile, Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) observes that the manner of Sen. Sotto’s interpellations show his insensitivity on the plight of poor women in the grassroots communities.

“His reckless and insensitive statements on the issue of contraceptives, pregnancy, and parenting further highlight the need to pass the RH bill in the soonest possible time,” said San Pascual.

San Pascual added that advocates are happy that there are sensible and caring Senators who fully comprehend situation of mothers that justifies the need to pass the RH Bill. “We are encouraging other Senators to stand up and register their support just like what Sen. Marcos did and positively move the RH bill towards enactment.

“On paper it would seem easy to approach LGUs but in reality, without legislated RH policy, helping in the provision of RH services is not a viable option at the grassroots level,” Sen. Marcos said. “They do not have clear guidance and they do not have the funding, but they are desirous to help.” he explained.

Visayas Mayors tackle P-Noy’s health agenda

Health issues such as Rabies-Free Visayas; Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition Strategy (MNCHN); Program on Tuberculosis; and Philhealth matters are crucial issues tackled by Municipal Mayors as they gather for the annual League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Visayas Island Cluster Conference.

The event dubbed “One Visayas Health Summit” was organized taking in consideration the current P-Noy administration’s health agenda and the Universal Health Care framework. LMP Island Cluster President for Visayas Mayor Ramon Legaspi of Makato, Aklan leads the event.

The conference also tackles other concerns affecting local government administration. Municipal mayors in the entire Visayas together with other prominent personalities were in attendance.

LMP has long been advocates for health on critical health concerns such as TB prevention, family planning and on improving the capacities of health service providers among its current and continuing programs.

LMP National leadership provided full support on the activity. “The LMP will always be at the forefront of providing the best possible service to the people,” said Bacoor, Cavite Mayor Strike Revilla.

Tags: rh-plcpd

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