Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012
The Philippines is one of the countries experiencing population explosion. Our population is sparking an intensifying discussion on various environmental, health and economic issues. It is said to be the root cause of extreme poverty, high crime rates, destructive ecological backlash, depletion of natural resources and unmanageable health problems. So, how can we address this problem?
A very good model to this is the most controversial "Reproductive Health Bill". House Bill No. 5043 - An act providing for a national policy on reproductive health, responsible parenthood, population development and for other purposes. This act shall be known as the "Reproductive Health and Development Act of 2008".
This bill aims to promote responsible parenthood, properly conceptualized birth spacing and respect for life in consonance with the internationally recognized human rights standard. It also guarantees universal access to medically safe, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services either on modern or natural methods, devices, and supplies all for the promotion of gender equality and woman empowerment. It does not only aim to mold citizens but to also prevent reproductive tract infections such as HIV, AIDS and STD.
If people will acquire pertinent information on what RH Bill is all about then misconceptions will be addressed and they will realize that this bill is not anti-life but a pro-life mandate. We can never achieve prosperity if our population is rapidly increasing as our natural resources are diminishing leaving behind sickly population unfit to work efficiently.
With the RH Bill, we can raise healthier, God-fearing and responsible citizens of our country. Healthy parents surely give rise to healthy offspring and healthy families are building blocks of a prosperous nation for the continuity of a productive life.
There is no other way to solve this main antagonist in achieving prosperity for the nation but education and empowering people through dissemination of relevant information that could be useful for our daily lives and through responsible use of appropriate media and technology.
But, as far as human interventions are concerned, all the above solutions are acceptable. But then, no human efforts can ever solve all these gigantic problems apart from God's divine providence unless all the persons involved abide by God's principles and His wise counsel, they all fall short of their plans.
Normally, we see our intellectual, emotional and physical needs but we used to neglect our spiritual needs. Our attitudes, beliefs and values systems bust be anchored on God's words. Wrong doctrine produces wrong life.
As the bible says, "Righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a disgrace to every nation", unless we humble ourselves and acknowledge our sins. We can never find favor in His sight. The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. Our spirituality is as important as our economy. We must not separate ourselves from the Almighty God who is the Author of our life and who has good plans for us.
As Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing". We need to put God at the center of our families, educational curriculum and governance in order to achieve the quality of life we all aspire for.