Group renews call for RPRH full implementation

THE PHILIPPINE Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, in celebration of the fifth year anniversary of the passage of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law(RPRH), brought its advocacy campaign dubbed as “5 Taon, 5 Hamon” here and Benguet recently.

PLCPD Executive Director Romeo Dongeto, in a press conference, said five years since the enactment of the RPRH Law, the Filipino people have yet to witness its full and proper implementation.

The RPRH law was enacted in December 2012 and its key provisions focus on access to family planning, maternal healthcare and age - appropriate sexuality and RH education.

Dongeto outlined the five challenges of as uneven implementation of the law at the local level, rise in serious adolescent reproductive health problems, legal barriers, lack of public awareness and insufficient funding.

He pointed out that maternal mortality ratio remains high with 204 deaths per 100,000 live births while Filipino youth are hounded by RHrelated problems like increasing teenage pregnancy and HIV infection that is already tagged “youth epidemic”.

Thus, Dongeto reiterated the PLCPD and RH advocates’ call to capacitate local government units to implement the law; implement age and development – appropriate sexuality education and give minors access to information and services; raise public awareness on RH and ensure adequate funding.