by Grace Bondad Nicolas, Contributor

Interfaith organizations called for the support of all legislators to promote the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill at a gathering last March 23, 2012. The gathering was held at El Buono Pizza on Tomas Morato, in Quezon City.

Media personnel from different parts of Region 4-A attended the event for information dissemination and awareness. According to John Louie Matira of Cabuyao, Laguna, approximately 11 mothers die every day due to pregnancy-related causes, and the RH bill is the best policy to protect the lives of women. John Louie Matira is also a member of Catholics for Reproductive Health (Catholics4RH), and told everyone that the majority of the Catholic constituency support the RH Bill.

Other VIPs present at the gathering included former representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Marlon Toledo Lacsamana-Labilles of Queer Pagan Network, Bishop Rodrigo Tano of the Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Responsible Parenthood, and Dr. Eden Divinagracia of the Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare Inc. According to Bishop Tano, RH is not only for women, but also for children and men, for it would help everyone in general, and it would lift the standard of life among the Filipino people.

The advocates and authors of the bill are pushing for its passage because they are positive that it could help the institution of the Filipino family, especially for marginalized communities who don’t have access to medicines and health care.