First-ever RH Bill Forum: LIKE!

By ADOR LEANDA HURTADO
January 31, 2012

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  As the Senate today, January 31 deliberates Senate Bill No 2865 more popularly known as The Reproductive Health (RH) Bill Act sponsored by Senator Pia Cayetano as it was included as the final item (Agenda VI, Item 3), an equally important initiative to shed light on this controversial legislation has been conducted yesterday (January 30) at one of the premiere university in Samar Province, the Samar State University (SSU), formerly known as the Samar State Polytechnic University (SSPC) in Catbalogan City.

More than 400 students attended the First Reproductive Health Bill Forum at SSU Audio Visual Room that afternoon, which initiative was organized and facilitated by the College of Nursing. Students from different colleges such as the College of Education, College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, College of Industrial Technology and others gave their "Like" and "Dislike" rating on the different topics and issues discussed by the speakers patterned from the popular social networking Facebook.

Taking the Government Side or in support of Reproductive Health Bill, Ms. Lady Nancy Lisondra, a Registered Nurse representing the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) discussed the salient points about Reproductive Health with stress on the Medical and Bioethical side of the issue since majority of the audience were Nursing Students. Taking the Opposition Side of the issue, Mr. Herminigildo "Hermie" Sanchez from the Couples for Christ (CFC) discussed on the moral and social side of the legislation.

After the two speakers gave their thoughts and expertise, the open forum started with the questioning from the audience, which majority were addressed to Ms. Lisondra covering issues on the carcinogenic-effect of contraceptives, the mandatory age-appropriate sexuality education, the most debate issue on abortion among others. The forum ended with much enthusiasm when Ms. Lisondra gave a short impromptu and informal Disensitization Workshop addressing the taboo-ness of Adolescent Reproductive Health most importantly because it is essential to human beings especially to young people.