Dagupan solon supports RH measure

DAGUPAN CITY— Fifth District Rep. KimiCojuangco is optimistic that the Reproductive Health bill will be approved in Congress with the support of her constituents.

During a RH bill forum in Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan attended by students and representatives from different sectors including Catholic Church devotees, Cojuangco explained the RH bill will help protect the health and lives of mothers, save babies, promote equity for poor families, prevent induced abortions, support and deploy more public midwives and doctors, guarantee funding for and equal access to health facilities, among others.

One student agreed with the congresswoman. "Para sa akin, ang RH bill angsiyangtutugonparamabigyangproteksiyonangkalusuganngmgakababaihan at hindiitonagpo-promote ng premarital sex," FerlynLausa, a student of Lyceum Northwestern University said when interviewed by reporters after the forum.

Cojuangco said she was not afraid to go against the Church which is opposed to the Reproductive Health bill.

She said, she strongly believes her constituents would benefit from the passage into law of House Bill No. 4244, or the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development Bill.

Cojuangco and 93 other congressmen are supporting the measure.

“Sana huwagnang mag-dictate angSimbahansagobyerno,” “We respect them, sana they also respect our views,” she said.

She said many priests favor the bill but choose to keep silent, fearing censure from their superiors. “Angdamingparina pro-RH, kontilangnaman nag maingay,” she said.

She also revealed that Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas respects her stand on the issue.

Cojuangco thanked Lyceum Northwestern University President Gonzalo Duque for sponsoring the forum.