The Department of Health (DOH) is open to Senate Bill 1979, also known as the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, emphasizing that the agency is ready to listen, an official clarified on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Earlier, DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa said that the country already has the Reproductive Health Law, saying it is unnecessary to pass a new law.
“Bukas naman kami sa DOH (We at the DOH are open to the bill). We’re looking forward to the substitute bill,” Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the spokesperson of the DOH, said in a radio interview.
Domingo explained that when Herbosa first reacted to the proposed legislation, he based his response on the original Senate Bill 1979.
“Na-monitor din naman natin na ating butihing Sen. Risa Hontiveros at nag-file ng substitute bill, ang tawag nilang proposed amendment by substitution pursuant to Section 82 of the Rules of the Senate (We have also monitored that our esteemed Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a substitute bill, which they call a proposed amendment by substitution pursuant to Section 82 of the Rules of the Senate),” he said.
Domingo emphasized the importance of such discussions for shaping public policy.
“We’re willing to listen and learn to exchange ideas paano natin pwedeng palakasin yung implementation ng batas na ‘yan (We’re willing to listen and learn to exchange ideas on how we can strengthen the implementation of that law),” the spokesperson explained.
Domingo identified “signaling” as a possible benefit of the legislative process, helping to encourage action from government officials.
“Anong mga posibleng signals? May tinatawag na coercion. Ibig sabihin, pag ikaw ay hindi sumunod, makukulong ka or mamumultahan ka. Mayroon ang mga incentives (What are the possible signals? There’s what we call coercion, meaning if you do not comply, you could face imprisonment or penalties. Then there are incentives),” he said.
“Kapag ikaw ay sumunod, mayroon kang performance-based bonus, etc. Yan ang mga pwede natin tignan na aspeto, ano bang kailangan gawin? And the fact na pinag-uusapan siya is a very strong signal (If you comply, you could receive a performance-based bonus, etc. These are aspects we can look into, what needs to be done? And the fact that it is being discussed is a very strong signal),” he went on.
In addition, Domingo addressed concerns raised by teachers regarding the current state of sexuality education in schools.
He shared a conversation with a teacher who pointed out that MAPEH teachers, who are not trained as health educators, are often tasked with teaching topics related to health and sexuality.
“Sabi nga niya sa akin ‘yung MAPEH, wala ngang health teacher. Ang nagtuturo apparently nitong mga sexuality education… ang nagtuturo is a PE, physical education teacher (According to a teacher, MAPEH has no health teacher. Apparently, it is the PE, physical education teacher who teaches sexuality education),” Domingo revealed.
“Hindi ko po minamalihit ng ating PE teachers. Saludo ako sa inyo at sa inyong training kasi importante ang physical activity. But I think it is unfair to expect a basketball coach to suddenly talk about fallopian tubes and ovaries (I do not mean to undermine our PE teachers. I salute you and your training because physical activity is important. But I think it is unfair to expect a basketball coach to suddenly talk about fallopian tubes and ovaries).”
Domingo suggested that a new law may be necessary to better capacitate teachers or to hire dedicated health educators.
He pointed out that, in the absence of such a law, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) might argue that they cannot allocate additional plantilla positions.
“Maybe the answer is yes. I will leave that to the senators and congresspersons,” he said.
Domingo underscored the importance of discussing these details in a hearing, adding that the heated debates surrounding the issue reflect deeper cultural concerns.
He acknowledged that such strong reactions indicate significant challenges, though he hesitated to call them impediments.
“I think what Senator Hontiveros is doing is a step in the right direction because it is being talked about,” Domingo said. “This is not just a taboo topic for adults; it needs to be discussed,” he added.