Written by Gerimiah J.
It was December 2012 when The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, was passed into law. Under this, the State guarantees universal access to affordable and quality reproductive health care services. However, its implementation was suspended in 2013 by the Supreme Court due to objections from religious groups. Thus, it was only by 2017 when President Duterte signed an executive order accelerating the implementation of the RH Law that quality reproductive health care was really pushed for.
The executive order, however, has not made any significant impact on the implementation of the RH law, according to former Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral. Given that the provision wherein officials will be punished for not implementing the law was removed, the implementation of family planning on the local level is still dependent on the local government officials and local health officials. This results in an unequal implementation, according to national program officer for reproductive health at the UNFPA Philippines Michael Singh. Furthermore, the results from Chairperson of the UN Youth Advisory Board Philippines Neil Lomibao’s nationwide tour, which aimed to form a general impression of the state of sexual health services in the country, highlight the need for improvement. 20% percent of his respondents identified the need for access to family planning and healthcare services. Meanwhile, 14% percent considered the need for education on sexuality, reproductive health and responsible parenthood as an issue that must be addressed. This shows that the country still has a long way to go to ensure quality reproductive health care for all, especially for the vulnerable members of society.
Despite the continuous need for reproductive health services, it is not being given priority due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Acquiring contraceptives and other services has become more difficult due to the lockdown and suspension of public transportation. Reproductive health clinics are also operating on reduced clinic hours with limited staff, which lessens the number of people they can accommodate. Overcrowding in hospitals has also led to pregnant women being denied medical attention which has led to fatalities.
Amarela believes that the need for quality reproductive health services does not stop especially during a pandemic. Continuous discussion regarding reproductive health and effort to provide these services is essential to ensure the reproductive well-being of people. Thus, Amarela hosted its first webinar entitled “Amarela Talks: The Accessibility of Reproductive Healthcare Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Philippines”. It was moderated by Amarela’s chairperson Jenina Co and finance chair Aly Barranda. Amarela also invited Senator Risa Hontiveros, former senatorial candidate Ms. Samira Gutoc and UN Population Fund Representative Mr. Iori Kato to give their insight on the topic. The webinar was held on July 4, 2020, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm through Facebook Live on Amarela’s Facebook page.
Amarela hopes that this webinar furthers the discussion on the state of the country’s reproductive health care, especially in this time.
Watch the webinar here.
Sources:
Lomibao, Neil. “[Opinion] What touring the Philippines taught me about sexual health in the country.” Rappler, 30 November 2019, www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/245884-opinion-what-tour-philippines-taught-about-sexual-reproductive-health. Accessed 17 June 2020.
Lasco, Gideon. “Inside the Philippines’ long journey towards reproductive health.” The Conversation, 9 May 2017, theconversation.com/inside-the-philippines-long-journey-towards-reproductive-health-7273. Accessed 17 June 2020.
Santos, Ana P. “Philippines: How women pay the price of pandemic-induced health care shortages.” DW, 15 May 2020, www.dw.com/en/philippines-how-women-pay-the-price-of-pandemic-induced-health-care-shortages/a-53454534. Accessed 17 June 2020.
Lloyd, Cristyn. “Whatever happened to the Philippines’ reproductive health law?.” Southeast Asia Globe, southeastasiaglobe.com/whatever-happend-to-the-philippines-reproductive-health-law/. Accessed 17 June 2020.
“Republic Act No. 10354.” Official Gazette, 21 December 2012, www.official gazette.gov.ph/2012/12/21/republic-act-no-10354/. Accessed 20 June 2020.
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