It’s sad reading all this debate between the CBCP and Secretary Cabral on this issue of free condom distribution. Personally, I believe that contraceptives should not be given freely. The secretary is better off distributing free medicines rather than focusing on free contraceptives. There are those who are in dire need of medicines these days.
It is a fact that contraceptives help control booming population and STDs, and foreign financial aids pour into the country supporting initiatives to stop AIDS and overpopulation. However this does not mean that we should take the opportunity to distribute contraceptives freely. That would be helpful for some people but there are those whose sense of morality is stuck in the middle ages who will feel that this act is a violation their moral fiber.
It would be better to give subsidies than contraceptives and appropriate proper education and regulation methods. Contraceptives should be requested and not distributed freely given the available finances. If these contraceptives are duly subscribed and approved by the local health center, paid by the educated user and subsidized by the government, we can have a sense of assurance that the people who will use it have a sense of commitment and ownership. However, if contraceptives are given freely, we cannot be sure whether these contraceptives will be used properly, sold to a third party, or used as water balloons in the next wet ‘n’ wild party. Proper education and regulation should be the first step, not immediate distribution. Or else… the very eager and voracious cookie monster will do the job of educating for the government.
Kidding aside, it is true that the country needs to resolve overpopulation through the use of contraceptives. But, as a wise woman said during one FF convention: “It is not enough that we know that truth. We should hear that truth from the voices of our people.” They should be the ones asking and voicing out their need – not Secretary Cabral, not the CBCP.
And besides, we don’t want spend foreign aid and the tax payers money for the next wet ‘n wild party do we? 🙂
chris, even the DOH admits that it will take a comprehensive RH program to curb the Philippines' HIV and population woes. The reason condoms are in the spotlight right now is because the Church is raising a big stink about it, and Cabral has to clear the air of their bullcrap.
Youre right twin-skies. It will take a comprehensive RH program since most of the financial support comes from foreign aid. Without the program, DOH will only rely on non-government support.
Whats sad though is that the issue of morality is misdirected towards Sec. Cabral as if she is perpetrator of weakening the moral fiber of the people by giving away free condoms. I dream of the day when people will give a stronger voice in this issue, when people ask DOH for a comprehensive program, where the forefront of this comprehensive program is the people who voice out that they are responsible and take responsibility.
The voice is growing stronger according to the latest surveys (presidentials bets who support rh bill survey). And I hope that this voice grows stronger and stronger through our continuous effort to inform, educate, give opinion and assure those mega conservatives that the people take ownership and responsibility for their own sexuality and that contraceptives will not be misused and are not evil.
I guess you think I agree with you. I really don't, but that's for another entry somewhere else.
Yes of course, there are various viewpoints on politics and sexuality. And it is always interesting and enriching. 🙂
The people have spoken. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions…
On another note, do you even know DOH's program from preventing HIV/AIDS? Do you think all that they're doing is distributing condoms? For realz?
http://www2.doh.gov.ph/naspcp/HIV_AIDS_STI_servic… http://www2.doh.gov.ph/naspcp/about_us.htm
Your right Sinisterpark! The discourse should not only be CBCP vs. Sec. Cabral. It is also a discourse of CBCP vs. the poor who need medical services. I believe that the poor who needs medical assistance on reproductive health should stand up against the church. That would be something.
Of course, I’m kidding when I said that condoms will be used in wet n wild parties and that cookie monster will provide education on the use of condoms as portrayed in the picture above. But take note that that is the argument of the church against condoms that it will affect the moral fiber of individuals. No offense to cookie monster and wet n wild party-goers, I am just painting the picture how it might look like from the church’s perception.
On a serious note though, I think that the poor needs to stand up and voice their concerns more. Secretary Cabral has been demonized enough.