|
PRO and anti-reproductive health advocates are
expected to clash during the public consultations that will be
conducted by Quezon City on a proposed ordinance calling for the
establishment of a population and reproductive health management
policy in the city.
The consultations were called by
Quezon City council Majority floor leader Ariel Inton as the
proposed ordinance got flak from the religious sector, particularly
from Quezon City Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, archdiocese of Cubao.
The measure calls for the
inclusion of sex education in the curriculum of Grade 5 to fourth
year high-school students, and will include topics like how to be
responsible towards sex and reproductive health.
Those opposing the measure
maintain that parents should be the ones educating their children on
issues regarding sex, because teachers can impart knowledge about
sex that is contrary to Catholic beliefs.
Pro-reproductive health
advocates, mostly composed of doctors and women’s groups, insist
that the city needs the measure to help stop the rapid population
growth in the city, especially in the slum areas.
“That is why we called for a
public hearing for them to submit their respective position on the
issue and for us to come up with a measure that will address the
concerns of both parties,” Inton said.
--Jefferson Antiporda
|
