Reproductive health (RH) advocates held a rally to call for the immediate passage of House Bill 5043, or the Reproductive Health and Population Development Act of 2008, in celebration of International Women’s Month.

More than 800 people from various non-government organizations and civil society groups participated in the rally that began at the SandiganBayan and ended at the South Entrance of the House of Representatives.

“By marching all the way from Sandiganbayan to the House of Representatives, we hope to be able to convince our representatives that we, the people, want the RH bill passed into law immediately,” Ramon San Pascual, Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) said.

Streamers and photos of children with the message “Bukas Namin, Inyong Isipin; Ipasa ang RH bill!” written all over it were brandished by the marchers who did not mind the scorching heat of the mid-afternoon sun and dust from the busy traffic.

Cries of “Ipasa, ipasa, ngayon na!” and “RH Bill ipasa na! Taumbayan nagsalita na!” were heard as the marchers settled at the south entrance gate.

“May our representatives heed the people’s clamor. Pass the RH Bill now!” San Pascual concluded.