It is just befitting to share my daughter’s stand in this issue though an unnecessary brawl has emerged and a fickle-minded entity illogically stepped in to announce an indiscretionary method. A bottle of beer should pacify the decision, perhaps.
According to Wikipedia, the subject, The Reproductive Health Bill, known as the RH Bill, is stated as:
‘’x x x Philippine bill[s] aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. The general overview of the Reproductive Health bill cites fertility control among x x x men and women, the extensive usage of contraceptive services either through artificial methods and natural family planning, sexual education among pre-teens and adults, as well as supplemental maternal care for expectant mothers.’’
Because of this heightened social and moral awareness, ‘’The bill is highly divisive, with experts, academics, religious institutions, and major political figures supporting and opposing it, often criticizing the government and each other in the process. Debates and rallies for and against the bill, with tens of thousands participating particularly those held by the opposition, have been happening all over the country.’’ (Ibid)
To over-complicate things even more, Senate Bill 2378 defines the term "reproductive health care" as follows:
‘’Reproductive Health Care – refers to the state of complete 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 attain equal relationships in matters related to sexual relations and reproduction.’’
Moreover, Reproductive Rights is defined by Senate Bill 2378 as follows:
‘’x x x the rights of individuals and couples, to decide freely and responsibly whether or not to have children; the number, spacing and timing of their children; to make other decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence; to have the information and means to do so; and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.’’
I would firmly stand not in anyone place in this case as much have been argued and debated about this issue. I’d like to place myself in my own perspective to at least, have my own freedom as an ordinary Filipino on the street.
Pro-creation is normal. It is the method of doing such, the amount and quality of information must be adaptive to our modern way of living. And what’s our modern way? It’s dealing with reality. Reality that is more hungry, radical and liberated. The RH Bill is just a mean to open our eyes to reality. Closing our minds with endless truths about our sacred mores will not solve the underlying problem – overpopulation.
Being fully responsible in everything we do is the solution. To be responsible is to be active. Active participation in the betterment of one’s life and proper education towards procreation is being responsible in the aiming dangers that reality displays.
The responsibility on our decisions in life would not affect the way people perceive us but it will surely affect our way of living.
Juan dela Cruz must remove his blindfold. Be responsible enough to fight the temporary glaring presented by temporary minds. He must face the reality subjectively.
