To read about the rally in the local paper click here: www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/forces-against-rh-bill
You can read a consolidated version of the RH Bill here:
Consolidated Bill
The World Youth Alliance has argued that, "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011 violates international human rights to freedom of conscience, thought and belief that are enshrined in Philippine law. These rights are protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and, CEDAW, all of which have been ratified into Philippine law."
Particular problems with the bill are:
- "All accredited health facilities shall provide a full range of modern family planning methods"
- "Integration of Family Planning and Responsible Parenthood Component in Anti-Poverty Programs. A multi-dimension approach shall be adopted in the implementation of policies and programs to fight poverty. Towards this end, the DOH [Department of Health] shall endeavor to integrate a family planning and responsible parenthood component into all anti-poverty programs of government, with corresponding fund support."
- 'Ideal Family Size - 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."
- It is prohibited that "Any healthcare service provider; whether public or private, who shall: Knowingly without information or restrict the dissemination thereof, and/or intentionally provide incorrect information regarding programs and services on reproductive health, including the right to informed choice and access to a full range of legal, medically-safe and effective family planning methods"
- It is prohibited to "Refuse to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures on any person of legal age"