proposed philippine reproductive health bill of 2008

re: excerpts from house bill # 5043, the "reproductive health and popoulation development act of 2008"

re: principles
fr: sec 2. declaration of policy.

"the state uphold and promotes:
-- reponsible parenthood,
-- informed choice,
-- birh spacing, and
-- respect for life
in conformity with internationally recognized human rights standards....

"the state shall uphold the
-- right of the people, particularly women and their organizations, to effective and reaosnable participation in the formulation and implementation of the declared policy.

"this policy is anchored on the rationale that
-- sustained human development
is better assured with a
-- MANAGEABLE POPULATION
of healthy, educated and productive citizens.

"the statelikewise guaranteees
-- universal access to medically-safe, legal, affordable and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information theron even as it
-- prioritizes the needs of women and children, among other underprivileged sectors."

re: right to "satisfying and safe sex life"
fr: sec 4, c. : definition of "reproductive health"
"... this implies that people are able to have a SATISFYING and SAFE sex life, that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so, provided thatthese are not against the law...."

re: definition of "sustainable human development"
fr: sec 4, c.
"... decent standard of living and assuring continuity and acceleratoin of development by achieving a blance between and among
-- a manageable population,
-- adequate resources and
-- a healthy environment."

re: free ligation of indigent mothers
fr: sec 5, i
"to direct all public hospitals to make availabe to INDIGENT MOTHERS who deliver their children in these government hospitals, upon the mother's request, the procedure of ligation without cost to her;"

re: sex education
fr: sec 12. "mandatory age-appropriate reproductive heatlh education"
"... stragin grade 5 up to fourth year high school .... the reproductive heatlh eucation curriculum ... common to both public and private schools ...."

re: ideal family size
fr: sec 16
"... encourage them to have TWO CHILDREN as the ideal family size...."

re: CONSCIENCE clause
fr: sec 21, no. 5
"... provided, that all CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS of health care service providers based on RELIGIOUS grounds shal be respected..."