WHY WE OPPOSE HB 3773
1. HB 3773 uses the same agenda, vocabulary, and principles espoused by population-control advocates at the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 in Cairo. (Sec. 4) At these UN conferences, “reproductive rights” is universally agreed to include “abortion rights.”
2. Poverty is not caused nor aggravated by overpopulation, but by the wrong economic policies, poor governance and systemic corruption. Numerous economic studies have shown there is no correlation between population and poverty.
3. HB 3773 is based on flawed data on population growth rates and fertility levels. It ignores the experience of ageing populations in developed countries. If we spend our scarce resources towards birth control, we would merely be promoting the undesirable outcome of de-population.
RP’s Population Growth Rate has declined since the Year 2000 Census of 2.36%. The correct PGR is either 1.8%(United Nations) or 1.94% (National Census Office, 2005-2010 projection). RP’s Total Fertility Rate is not 3.5. It is 2.6 (United Nations) or 3.2 (NSO). In a few decades, fertility rate will be at replacement level of 2.1.
4. HB 3773 places an overwhelming emphasis on contraception at the expense of all other values, including medical care for the sick and the dying. (Section 9) Is preventing the procreation of lives more important than saving lives? This is a distortion of human values.
5. It is not true that widespread use of contraceptives will reduce illegal abortions. In every single country where contraceptives became widely available, abortions increased. Furthermore, some contraceptives are in themselves abortifacients through their mechanism of impeding uterine implantation after conception takes place: IUDs, injectibles, Oral Contraceptive Pills.
6. HB 3773, with its “2-child ideal” (Section 12) and “free ligation” (Section 6.g.), will result in social stigma and discrimination against large families. The ideal family size is what parents responsibly decide. This is not to be mandated nor “encouraged” by the State.
7. HB 3773 legislates “reproductive health and sexuality education” or mandatory sex education of the youth. (Section 10). There is no evidence of success in responsible sexual behavior as a result of sex education in classrooms. Teaching youth about abstinence and, at the same time, discussing birth control as an acceptable option, is a mixed message with serious consequences.
8. HB 3773 forces every employer to provide abortifacient contraceptives (Section 13), even if this will result in the deaths of Filipino children not yet born. Business owners committed to the sanctity of life will have a terrible dilemma on whether to close/sell their businesses or implement the law.
9. HB 3773 forces all health care service providers, including private doctors, nurses, clinics and hospitals, to make referrals for the provision of abortifacient drugs and devices. (Section 16.a.4.) Refusal will be punished by fine and/or imprisonment.
10.HB 3773 provides that any person who publicly or even privately disagrees with its premises, conclusion or implementation is subject to fine or imprisonment (Section 16.d.) This would include any future campaign to repeal it. As written, this also applies to parents instructing their children. No exception is made for religious or ethical reasons.
11.HB 3773 has as one of its Guiding Principles that unmarried couples, including children of reproductive age (Sections 3.1. and Section 3.j.) will receive contraception education. (Section 3.d.) and a full range of contraceptive drugs and devices (Section 3.j.). No provision is made for parental consent, or even notification, in the case of children.
12. HB 3773 will create a non-elected government within the Government. A Council will be responsible for integrating national policy in human development (Sec.6.d.) and implementing national development programs and projects, (Section 6.b.) In addition, there will be separate staff in every government department and office to implement the Council’s policy (Section 5.). This language puts the unelected Council in charge of the country’s de-population and thus, its future.
13. HB 3773 violates the Constitutional safeguards for life and family (Article II, Sections 12 &13, Article XV, Sections 1 & 13.)
BE ALERT!Other Proposed Anti-Family Bills
1. Approved by the Committee on Civil, Political and Human Rights
HB 634: Anti-Discrimination Act
A window for legalization of same-sex unions
2. At the Committee on Population and Family Relations
HB 1808: Integrated Population & Development Policy
HB 3422: Program on Family Life and Responsible Parenthood
These bills duplicate the aims of HB 3773. Too broad and vague. No quick fix to underdevelopment. Population control cannot co-exist with respect for the family.
HB 424: Creating the position of Barangay Population Worker
Adds to bureaucracy. Puts pressure on families to limit family size.
3. At the Committee of Basic Education & Culture
HB 1023: Integrating education on women, girls and gender rights, equality & welfare in all schools
HB 1495: That Dept. of Education must include population subject in curriculum
Both bills add an unnecessary specialization when basic reading, science and math are already found wanting. Warps the minds of youth even before they are married.
4. At the Committee on Revision of Laws
HB 4016: Introducing Divorce
Weakens all marriages and families. Ignores the adverse effects on children. Ignores the social costs. Basis of “irreconcilable differences” is liable to abuse.
Other Bills akin to Divorce:
HB 1536 & HB 3124:
Allowing civil law to recognize any church decree of marriage dissolution
HB 847:
Allowing annulment of marriage & remarriage 5 years after legal separation.
5. At the Committee on Health
HB 261: Patients’ rights and obligations
Possibility of assisted suicide and euthanasia
Prepared by:
ALLiance for the FAMILY Foundation Philippines, Inc. (ALFI)
Unit 206, Southgate Building, Finance Drive, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang,
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (63-2) 807-6848
E-Mail: allianceforthefamily@gmail.com Website: www. alfi.org.ph
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