RH bill protects young people from internet pornography, says RH supporter

By VIGIE BENOSA-LLORIN
June 4, 2009

QUEZON CITY  –  Amid sex video scandal involving celebrities, a non-government organization supporting the highly controversial “Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2009” that proposes age-appropriate responsible sexuality education, found an ally in no less than the Malacanang’s Executive Secretary himself.

Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD) lauds Sec. Eduardo Ermita for admitting to media that he is pushing for sex education.  In news reports, Sec. Ermita said that sex education help prevents unwanted pregnancies.  Further, Sec. Ermita said that Pres. Arroyo is endorsing sex education for the benefit of our younger people.

“Reproductive health advocates welcome this statement of support on sexuality education,” San Pascual said. “Mandatory age-appropriate responsible education is one of the main features of the reproductive health bill,” added San Pascual. Unfortunately, some officials of the Catholic church are contesting this provision laments San Pascual.

Some officials of the Catholic church does not want adequately trained teachers discussing responsible sex education to young people as they want to leave this responsibility to the parents alone.  In the RH bill, parents as much as the school system will have a joint responsibility in molding children to become responsible in their behaviors and help prepare them into adulthood.

“The youth of today are easily influenced by their peers and the media in matters of sex,” said San Pascual.  “They are internet savvy and much more technologically advanced.  A parent who is less equipped with moral sense and without much familiarity with computer technology, and at the same time busy raising income for the family, would most likely not able to protect their child from being exposed to pornographic materials proliferating in the net,” warns San Pascual.

Contrary to what the oppositionists claim, the proposed adolescent reproductive health education does not only provide information to prevent unwanted pregnancies but also includes formation of attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual health.