The Philippine Online Chronicles

Sixty-nine percent of Filipinos respondents interviewed by a poll body expressed support for the controversial reproductive health bill.

The results came out while the bill is still pending before the House of Representatives.

Pulse Asia found out that seven percent, or less than one in 10 Filipinos, were against the bill, while 24 percent are still undecided.

In the study conducted during October 20 to 29 this year, 80 percent or eight in 10 Filipinos attested that they have already heard, read, or watched anything about the bill prior to the interview.

The remaining 20 percent, or two in 10 Filipinos, admitted that they only learned anything about the said bill when they were being interviewed.

Ninety-three percent of Filipinos belonging to A, B and C classes said that they were aware of the bill, while 82 and 72 percent of those belonging to classes D and E expressed awareness, respectively.

Seventy-eight percent of those belonging to A, B and C classes said they agree with the bill, while 72 percent of those belonging to class E expressed their agreement; 66 percent of class D Filipinos believed likewise.

Across socio-economic classes, residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) showed the most support and knowledge about the bill. Nevertheless, the trend observed in Metro Manila is similar to the agreement and awareness patterns seen in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The minority

Of the small minority who expressed disagreement with the bill, 79 percent of them, however, agreed with the provision "recognizing the rights of women and couples to choose the family planning method that they want based on their needs and personal and religious beliefs."

Seventy percent of those against the bill agreed to the promotion of information about and access to natural and modern family methods, while 55 percent were with "stipulating the use of government funds to support modern family planning methods."

Pulse Asia said that the disagreement with the bill may be partly attributed to the proposed inclusion of "Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education" in school curricula.

Some 44 percent were against the said proposal, while 39 percent are in agreement.

The recent Pulse Asia survey covered 1,200 individuals 18 years of age and above across the country.

An indication

President Benigno Aquino III reportedly acknowledged that the survey results could be an indication that the people believe that something has to be done with the problems associated with the country's huge population.

But Aquino kept his stance on responsible parenthood.

“I'm not going to base any of my decisions or my stand on what the survey says. But, may I just reiterate, that I have not changed my position,” Inquirer quoted the President as saying.

Aquino said that he is in favor of allowing couples to choose the appropriate birth control method and that the government should provide these methods to those who can't afford them.

“[What] it seeks to do is to remind all prospective parents or parents that they have to respond to their responsibilities," the President said.

Several house representatives have likewise reportedly expressed that the survey reflects the public's sentiments on the RH issue amid the Catholic Church's staunch opposition. Dateline Philippines listed Iloilo congresswoman Janette Garin and Akbayan party-list representative Arlene Bag-ao among those who back the bill's passage.

“We've always known that the bill has the firm support of the majority of Filipinos who believes in the bill because of their conscience and pro-life principles. They, too, want to prevent the death of eleven women a day,” Bag-ao said.

Garin, a medical doctor, said that the survey should help open the mind of her colleagues to support the RH bill because it is what the people want.

Regarding the recent Pulse Asia survey, House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte stated, “The survey speaks for itself.”