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Published on Manila Bulletin ( http://www.mb.com.ph)
Lakas-Kampi CMD standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. Thursday said he favors a program giving cash incentives, not contraceptives as being promoted by some sectors, to couples volunteering to have less children as part of his concept of allowing individuals to go for their "moral choice" in a bid to curb the alarming population growth.
Teodoro said the government should not actively advocate the choice of using contraceptives as among the birth control measures just to curb the country’s fast growing population and instead, allow every individual to take their “moral choice” on the issue.
In commenting on his stand over the controversial Reproductive Health Bill, the former defense chief also said that the issue has prompted the debating parties on arguing among themselves rather than debating on the topic to achieve better results.
The issue on the RH bill, Teodoro said, has triggered divisiveness among many sectors of the society, particularly between Church and State. "We can have a program that would give cash incentives to couples who agree not to have children, perhaps by rhythm (method) if they wish." Teodoro said at the forum, "Make Health Count", at the University of the Philippines in Manila.
Former presidential adviser on the peace process retired Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr., a mayoralty candidate of the Nacionalista Party for the City of Manila who is supporting the presidential ambition of Gibo, was among those who attended the forum.
The cash awards would be an alternative to government-sponsored artificial contraception such as condoms and pills and other means, he said.
Teodoro’s proposal is seen a “win-win solution” to the contending positions of the church and government on how to manage the country’s population growth, one of the highest in Asia. “I would rather have resources to support a moral choice, rather than fight over a bill that has become controversial.
I think we really have to work hand in hand on this because this is indeed a difficult question,” Teodoro added.
Teodoro added that even if the controversial RH Bill still pending in Congress would finally pass before adjournment this year, "it would be impossible to implement it without the support of all the key parties involved." The church has consistently opposed the bill.
“What if the RH Bill is passed and yet, we don’t have zero budget for it. Wala rin (that would mean nothing) or failed expectation,” the 45-year-old administration bet stressed.
Source URL: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/240672/cash-not-contraceptives-curb-population-growth-gibo
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