pinagiisipanpabayan:

With all the hoopla regarding the RH bill,I encourage you to read the full text HERE. Below are some important portions of the law:

• In the promotion of reproductive health, there should be no bias for either modern or natural methods of family planning
• The number and spacing of children are left to the sound judgment of parents and couples based on their personal conviction and religious beliefs.
• Freedom of informed choice, which is central to the exercise of any right, must be fully guaranteed by the State like the right itself.
• Hormonal contraceptives, intrauterine devices, injectables and other allied reproductive health products and supplies shall be considered under the category of essential medicines.
• Tubal ligation, vasectomy, intrauterine device insertion and other family planning methods requiring hospital services shall be available in all national and local government hospitals, except: in specialty hospitals which may render such services on an optional basis.
• Reproductive Health Education in an age-appropriate manner shall be taught by adequately trained teachers starting from Grade 5 up to Fourth Year High School.
• No marriage license shall be issued by the Local Civil Registrar unless the applicants present a Certificate of Compliance issued for free by the local Family Planning Office certifying that they had duly received adequate instructions and information on family planning, responsible parenthood, breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
• The State shall assist couples, parents and individuals to achieve their desired family size within the context of responsible parenthood for sustainable development and encourage them to have two children as the ideal family size. Attaining the ideal family size is neither mandatory nor compulsory. No punitive action shall be imposed on parents having more than two children.
• Employers shall respect the reproductive health rights of all their workers.
• Refusal to extend reproductive health care services and information on account of the patient’s civil status, gender or sexual orientation, age, religion, personal circumstances, and nature of work will be penalized.
• Nothing in this Act changes the law on abortion, as abortion remains a crime and is punishable.