Congress removes DOH budget for contraceptives
The Congress bicameral conference committee has agreed to remove the Department of Health’s budget contraceptives but retain the remaining P680 million for maternal care, responsible parenting and grants for local government units for information campaign.
Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III revealed this as he informed the media that the bicam panel members from both the Houses of Congress are set to sign the P1.645 trillion budget for the 2011 on Monday night.
”The P200 million allotted for the purchase of pills, injectables and even condoms has been removed because these contraceptives are in violation of Article 2 Section 12 of the constitution which says the state shall guarantee the protection of the unborn from conception,” Sotto said in an interview before the session.
”The entire bicameral group and I’m sure that the Senate will support that no funds will be spent for contraceptives,” he added.
Sotto also announced that the DOH’s program has been retitled from reproductive health to family health responsible parenting and maternal care.
”We moved for retitling of the budget because we might be construed that we are supporting the reproductive health already,” Sotto explained.
Sotto said the DOH has agreed to cut all contraceptives budget including the P8 million for the purchase of condoms.
”That cut is definitely non-negotiable. There is no way we can allow contraceptives and besides, it’s the people’s money that will be used,” Sotto stressed, clarifying that he is for family planning and responsible parenthood.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile admitted that he also supported the move to cut the P200 million from the total P880 million budget of the DOH for its renamed program for family health care.
”We don’t want to be interpreted that we are supporting the reproductive health. It will take a lot of discuss in Congress. We will discuss it first,” Enrile said.
Sotto said the P200 million cut should be better used for debt servicing instead of buying contraceptives without the approving first the reproductive health bill.
”Leave to the Congress the issue of contraceptives,” Sotto said.
Both Sotto and Enrile expressed optimism that the P1.645 trillion national budget will be ratified before the Senate takes Christmas break starting on Thursday.*PNA
