CEBU CITY – Two Cebuano congressmen are expressing their opposition to the controversial House Bill No. 5043 (Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008), arguing that the billions of funds to be allocated for population control should instead be used for general health instead.

“The billions to be spent for reproductive health (if the pending bill is enacted into law) should be used instead for health itself, to buy vaccines that prevent diseases and not prevent life,” said Cebu’s 3rd district Representative Pablo John Garcia during a recent media gathering.

Garcia said he doesn’t buy the argument that the RH Bill will promote sex and abortion, pointing out that those are not indicated in any of the bill’s provisions. He stressed, however, that the budget for the promotion of reproductive health must be channeled to purchasing medicines for general health, building classrooms to educate children, and delivering basic services to the poor.

Garcia’s view was supported by Cebu’s 1st District Representative Eduardo Gullas who also expressed his views against the controversial bill that will be among the urgent measures to be tackled when Congress resumes next week.

Gullas said the problem of unemployment in the country is a far bigger problem that needs to be given attention.

“What we need to do is invest more on the source of employment for the people,” Gullas said.

Taking a different stance, meanwhile, is the Visayas Media Advocates for Responsible Parenthood (VIMAR) which is underlining its support for the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. The group believes “irresponsible parenthood” is the root of the population crisis in the country.

Recently, VIMAR issued a statement supporting House Bill No. 5043 or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008, which, in full, is entitled an Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health, Responsible Parenthood and Population Development, as well as for Senate Bill No. 3122 or Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2009, or an Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health.

VIMAR stressed that the bill is advantageous for both men and women because it responds to the emerging challenges of sustainable development, as well as the intergenerational equity and empowerment of men and women.