“Condom fails up to 36% for pregnancy so how much more for AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)?” asked Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles.

If cigarettes have a government warning, so should the packaging of condoms.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles issued this call as he said that if cigarettes have this warning: “SMOKING IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR HEALTH,” then condoms should also have a similar warning on its packaging to protect consumers.

“It is the right of consumers, whether Catholics or not, to be informed of condom failure,” he said.

The warning, Arguelles said, should be written this way: “CONDOMS MAY FAIL TO PROTECT YOU FROM AIDS.”

He said this is possible, especially since condom use cannot totally prevent pregnancy.

“Condom fails up to 36% for pregnancy so how much more for AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)?” asked Arguelles.

The issue of condom use resurfaced when the Department of Health (DoH) distributed free condoms at the Dangwa Flower Market in Manila as part of the “Ingat Lagi, My Valentine” campaign.

The move, however, was condemned by Catholic Church leaders because of its total disregard for morality.

Meanwhile, the government said it is not promoting the artificial birth control method although it distributed condoms at Dangwa on the eve of Valentine’s Day.

After receiving flak from the church, health officials clarified they distributed the rubber-based birth control tool as a way to stem the escalating threat of HIV/AIDS in the country – some 126 new infections were found last December as revealed in the HIV surveillance system of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC).

For 2009, the number of HIV infections reached 835, the highest in 25 years, the DoH said.

“The condom distribution should not be construed as a signal that the government is advocating sexual licentiousness. The free condoms were just a tool of a creative campaign aimed at promoting awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention at a most opportune time – Valentine’s Day,” the DoH said in a statement echoing the words of Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo.

DoH Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral had earlier announced her favor over artificial birth control means although the government is heavily promoting the Natural family planning method.

But Cabral said couples should have complete access to information concerning Reproductive health and the various means of spacing births and limiting the number of children.

The DoH said the “Ingat Lagi, My Valentine” drive is a part of a three-part campaign to combat HIV/AIDS in the country. (With a report from Jenny Manongdo)