|
 |
| |
|
| |
Push for More Private Pregnancy Care Centers
|
|
A lawmaker has filed a bill seeking to encourage private, non-profit corporations to set-up more pregnancy health care centers by providing tax credits. Parañaque’s First District Representative Eduardo C. Zialcita authored House Bill 5327 or The Pregnancy Care Centers Act of 2006. He said the bill will empower women to make decisions consistent with the intrinsic value of every human life and the inherent dignity of the conjugal act.
|
The proposed bill explained that despite substantial American and local funding and support, the level of contraceptive prevalence has not changed much from its level of 47% in 1998 to 49% in 2003. Filipinos may indeed be concerned about planning their families and the number of children, but they are not convinced about using artificial contraceptives. The educational campaign must therefore focus on the merits of responsible parenthood, the modern methods of natural family planning, and the emphasis on pro-life alternatives to unexpected pregnancies.
Zialcita said these pregnancy care centers would provide services to all women, but particularly to those who are pregnant and may be considering abortions. These are the women who severely lack the right information and support. Pregnant women with unexpected pregnancies resort to illegal abortions because they feel they are not free and there seem to be no other options.
The Act would correct this problem and give women practical alternatives to abortion. Pregnant women would be given assistance that could include direct care such as medical attention, nutritional support, housing assistance, adoption services, employment assistance and parenting education and support.
“It is time we encourage life-affirming choices for pregnancy and sexuality, aside from promoting abstinence as the positive life choice for unmarried persons. These pregnancy care centers will value the sanctity of life, chastity, marriage, and personal responsibility,” Zialcita explained.
Zialcita also clarified that the funds appropriated would not be used to promote a specific religion. Filipinos are free to practice freely the religious beliefs they adhere to in the many churches, mosques and gathering places all over the islands. The pregnancy care centers, he insisted, are for counseling and practical help.
EDUARDO C. ZIALCITA
Representative
1st District, Parañaque City
|
|
|
