De Guzman-Bello tandem to push for RH Law full implementation
This is a combination photo of presidential candidate Leody De Guzman (left) and vice-presidential candidate Walden Bello. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — The tandem of labor leader Leody de Guzman and political analyst Walden Bello will push for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, citing it as an anti-poverty program.
De Guzman, who is running for president, noted that the the full implementation of the RH Law is being hampered by its meager budget.
“Yung aasahan ng mamamayan du’n sa RH Law ay ‘yung full implementation niyan. Alam ko kumpleto na ‘yan. Ang problem lang ay ‘yung budget ng gobyerno ay tinitipid, napakaliit ng budget na inilaan,” the presidential bet said in an online consultation.
(The citizens can expect the full implementation of the RH Law. I know it is already complete. The only problem is the government allots a small budget for it.)
“Kaya dapat magkaroon ng sapat na budget ‘yung ating gobyerno nang sa ganu’n ay mabili ‘yung lahat ng pangangailangan ng ating mga kababaihan, ng ating mga kananayan tungkol doon sa mga kailangan nilang mga contraceptive, lahat ng mga booklets na kailangan nila, training… impormasyon na kailangan nilang malaman para umandar,” he went on.
(So there should be a sufficient government budget in order to buy all the needs of women and mothers such as contraceptives, booklets, training, and information drives for the law to go on.)
Bello, who is running for vice president, meanwhile, said the RH Law is one of the effective anti-poverty programs that the country has.
“Under a Leody-Walden-Luke Espiritu administration, talagang (surely) we will have the political will to push through the RH bill kasi (because) it is not only important for women’s health but it is one of the most effective anti-poverty programs that we can have,” Bello said in the same discussion.
He stressed the importance of implementing the RH Law at the local and national level.
In 2012, the late former President Benigno Aquino III signed into law the Reproductive Health Bill, which was seen as one of the most controversial measures handled by legislators.
