House ratifies RH bill

MANILA, Philippines – The Reproductive Health Bill took another step closer to becoming a law after the House of Representatives ratified the bicameral report on the measure that  would provide government funding for contraceptives and sexuality classes in schools.

Earlier, the Senate ratified the reconciled version of the bill via an 11-5 vote.

The bill will be transmitted to President Benigno Aquino III for signature.

If enacted into law, any person will now have access to reproductive health services, including contraceptives, except minors unless there is consent from parents or guardians.

Also exempted are minors who are parents or young girls who have had miscarriages – an indication that they were sexually active.

The proposed measure also provides mandatory reproductive health and sexuality education in schools to adolescents aged between 10 and 19.