Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday, January 27 said the controversial Senate Bill No. 1979 or the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill will strengthen the provisions of the country’s Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law.
Hontiveros made the remark after Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa expressed reservations about SB 1979 now pending at the Senate.
According to the DOH chief, there is no need for a new law to tackle the issue of teenage pregnancy as Republic Act No. 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012 (RH Law), simply needs to be properly implemented.
“I want to remind the Department of Health Secretary that the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) Bill aims to strengthen the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law,” Hontiveros said.
“Moreso, since teenage pregnancy still remains a national emergency, it is only right that we strengthen the RPRH Law,” she said.
“It is only right that we pass a measure that mandates the government to direct our attention and resources to this particular issue of teen pregnancy,” added the lawmaker.
Hontiveros noted there are more young Filipinos now who are sexually active.
“Whether we like it or not, according to the data, there are young people who are sexually active and are currently facing the consequences,” she cited.
“They need appropriate information and services, in addition to what is provided in the RPRH. We should not deny them the right to protect their health,” she stressed.
The senator said this is also why the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act or Republic Act No. 11166 since it specifically gives adolescents access to HIV testing and treatment even without the consent of parents.
The lawmaker also said the Raising the Age of Sexual Consent Law also recognizes that adolescents have agency to give consent at 16.
“So we must also recognize their abilities to make decisions on their health,” she said.
“The Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (bill) is needed to empower adolescents to protect themselves,” Hontiveros reiterated.
The senator filed a substitute bill to SB 1979 removing the phrase “international standards guide” after several sectors protested against the measure and deemed it unconstitutional.