DOH to award LGUs that faithfully implement RH law — Laxamana

THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday disclosed that they are all set to launch the Purple Ribbon Award for the correct implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law of 2012 or Republic Act No. 10354.

Speaking at a media briefing, DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Francia Laxamana said they want to recognize to the local government units (LGUs) that will correctly implement the RPRH law, annually, beginning March 2017.

“We’ll be looking at the accomplishments of all the LGUs based on the LGU score cards,” said Laxamana.

The awards, according to the DOH, will be for the categories of provincial, regional, and national as well as for LGUs, civil soci- ety organizations, and individuals.

“We will recognize on which have exemplary accomplishments in the implementation of the reproductive health law,” said Laxamana.

Commission on Population (Popcom) Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez III, meanwhile, said that they have already submitted to Malacañang the proposed Executive Order (EO) for a stronger national family planning program.

“There is a draft Executive Order that is pending with the signature of the president for a revitalized and much stronger plan for the zero unmet needs for family planning,” said Perez.

Under the proposed EO, the health official said local government units (LGUs) will be directed by the national government to conduct their respective community level campaigns for family planning and reproductive health.

“This is so they can identify which women need family planning services and provide them with it as soon as possible,” explained Perez.

“We are waiting. It’s in Malacañang already since October,” said Perez.

It can be recalled that the full implementation of the RPRH Law has been hampered by the issuance of two temporary restraining orders against the distribution of progesterone subdermal implant, as well as prohibiting the Food and Drug Administration from the re-registration of current contraceptive methods last June 2015.