10 major amendments proposed by RH authors

AUTHORS of the reproductive health (RH) bill have listed 10 major amendments that include the recommendations of President Benigno Aquino III.
House Bill 4244 entered the period of amendments last Tuesday, a week after congressmen terminated the debates upon the instruction of President Benigno Aquino III, who met them in a luncheon in Malacañang.
The list of amendments signed by main proponent Albay Representative Edcel Lagman includes:
1. Deletion on its entirety of Section 20 on Ideal Family Size to obviate criticisms that the RH bill imposes a two-child policy similar to China’s one-child policy.
2. Deletion on its entirety of Section 21 on Employers’ Responsibilities to address the concerns particularly of the organized employers and businessmen in favor of enacting the RH bill. The deleted provision is a reiteration and augmentation of what the Labor Code provides under Article 134, which is deemed presently adequate.
3. Deletion in its entirety of Section 10 on Family Planning Supplies as Essential Medicines to accommodate the objection of some members of the House of Representatives on the classification by law of contraceptives as essential medicines despite the WHO’s prescription and inclusion of contraceptives in its Drug Formulary. In lieu of the deleted provision, the following amendment will be effected to defer the lawful jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration: “The Food and Drug Administration shall determine the safety, efficacy and classification of products and supplies for modern family planning methods prior to their distribution, procurement, sale and use.”
4. Amendments will be effected on Section 16 on Mandatory Age Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education as follows:
a. As suggested by the President, RH and sex education should start from Grade 6, instead of Grade 5.
b. The qualification that the teaching values formation should be “with due regard to religious affiliation” as suggested by the President.
c. The following shall be included among the subjects of reproductive health and sexuality education: Beneficient results of Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education on Proper and Responsible Sexual Values and Behaviour; Delayed Entry into Sexual Relations; Abstinence before Marriage; Avoidance of Multiple Sexual Partners; Prevention and Spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
d. A new paragraph is included under the provision on RH and Sexuality Education to afford parents the option not to allow their minor children to attend reproductive health and sexuality education classes to accord respect to religious convictions and beliefs as contained in the bill’s Declaration of Policy.
5. The acquisition and operation of Mobile Health Care Service for congressional districts shall be funded by the National Government, instead from the Priority Development Assistance Fund to address the objections of some members of the House who refuse to use their PDAF for MHCS.
6. Amendments on Section 28 on Prohibited Acts will be:
a. The entire subsection (2) on refusal to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures shall be rephrased as follows upon the suggested amendments on phraseology by President Aquino:
(2) Refuse to perform legal and medically-safe reproductive health procedures on any person of legal age on the ground of lack of consent or authorization of the following persons in the following circumstances:
1. The lack of marital consent in case of married persons, provided that in case of disagreement, the decision of the one undergoing the procedure shall prevail; and
2. The lack of parental consent or that of the person exercising parental authority in case of abused minors, where the parent or the person exercising parental authority is the respondent, accused or convicted perpetrator as certified by the proper prosecutorial office or the court.
b. The provision requiring a conscientious objector to refer the person requiring family planning service or procedure to a willing health care provider is qualified by the amendment which reads: “Without in anyway agreeing or endorsing the family planning service or procedure required by the persons concerned.”
c. A public official in order to be liable for the prohibited act of banning or restricting the delivery of legal and medically safe reproductive health care services should be an official “charged with the duty to implement the provisions of the Act.”
d. To allay fears of undue curtailment of freedom of expression, the following prohibited act is deleted: Any person who maliciously engages in disinformation about the intent or provision of this Act.
e. To disabuse the minds of critics that there is a lobby by pharmaceutical companies for the enactment of an RH bill and that the authors are influenced by this lobby, a new prohibited act is included: Any pharmaceutical company, whether domestic or multi-national, or its agent or distributors which (1) shall collude with government officials, whether appointed or elected, in the distribution, procurement and/or sale by the national government and local government units of modern family planning supplies, products and devices; and/or (2) contribute money or anything of value to partisan political activities involving a government official, whether appointed or elected, and/or any candidate for any elective position, whether national or local.
7. To further debunk the existence of the alleged lobby, a new provision on penalties is added: If the offender is a pharmaceutical company, its agent and/or distributor, their license or permit to operate or conduct business in the Philippines shall be perpetually revoked, and a fine triple the amount involved in the violation shall be imposed.
8. To underscore that the bill also requires the State to promote natural methods of family planning, particularly the modern natural methods like the Billings, Symptom-Thermal and Standard Days methods, the President’s proposed amendment as modified shall be effected as follows: Provided, that the State will provide funding support to promote modern natural methods of family planning consistent with the needs of acceptors.
9. To guarantee religious freedom, an amendment proposed by the President shall be incorporated in the bill to effect that “Hospitals owned and operated by a religious group has the option whether or not to provide a full range of modern family planning methods.”
10. In order to emphasize that the RH bill is not a population control measure and he reproductive health care needs of the poor, particularly marginalized women, must be prioritized, the common amendments of partylist Gabriela, Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Kabataan and ACT Teachers are accepted as follows:
a. Section 3(1) on Guiding Principles is amended to read as: The resources of the country must be made to serve the entire population especially the poor and make allocations adequate and effective.
b. Section 12 on Integration of Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Components in Anti-Poverty Programs is rephrased to read as: A multi-dimensional approach shall be adopted in the implementation of policies and programs to fight poverty. Towards this end, the DOH shall implement programs that will ensure full access of poor and marginalized women to reproductive health care services, products and programs. The DOH shall provide such programs technical support, including capacity-building and monitoring.
c. The role of the Population Commission as the coordinating body is limited to particular sections of the bill namely Sections 7, 10, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21 and 23. Moreover, it is stressed that the declared national policy which POPCOM is mandated to help implement does not include population control.
Meantime, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on their allied lawmakers to take out so-called “anti-life measures” in the amended version.
CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life chairman Bishop Gabriel Reyes said these provisions include the distribution of artificial contraceptives among families and workers, as well as the initiation of sex education in schools.
“We are still hoping since there are congressmen who told their bishops that while they will vote yes to the motion to end the interpellation and debates but when the time comes when they are going to vote to approve the RH bill or not, they will vote no. There are congressmen who said so,” said the Antipolo bishop.
A previous survey by the CBCP among their members showed there are 140 votes against the RH bill from lawmakers in their respective dioceses as against the 49 votes for it while 26 are still undecided.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/08/15/10-major-amendments-proposed-rh-authors-237622

Some of the good resorts in Pampanga offer good alternatives to hotel function rooms for seminars, corporate planning and meetings. More and more, Manila event planners prefer to hold planning sessions and meeting out of town in the north where participants can relax and unwind in outdoor facilities of some of the good resorts outside Manila. This way, the meetings can be much more productive as participants get a chance to enjoy the lake, beach and good picnic spots in a good resort in Clark Pampanga between seminars, planning sessions and meetings. Clearwater Resort is generally recognized by event planners as the best event venue in Clark Pampanga. Clearwater appears frequently on the top of a list of the best hotels in Pampanga. Visitors to Clark and Angeles City Pampanga seldom pass up the opportunity to relax and unwind by the lake of this popular resort in Pampanga.

Private resort near Manila is highly recommended for families with children to relax and unwind. This hotel in Clark is a frequently visited place for family bonding also.

This private resort in Pampanga is a popular beach hotel in North Luzon for company outings, team building and family retreats also. It is one of the few private places where guests can enjoy a stress free lifestyle in a tranquil and peaceful environment that offers a calming effect for those visitors from Manila stressed out from work. Clearwater is one of the best hotels in Clark. This resort in Pampanga is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga and guests staying in one of the good resorts in Clark can make arrangements to have a round of golf nearby.

Residents of Manila travel out of town to the north in search for nice private resort in Pampanga. Highly recommended lodging in Clark Philippines, Lake House at Clearwater Resort. These rooms offer a beautiful view of the famous lake in Clark Philippines, a peaceful and tranquil ambience that supports a leisure lifestyle with no stress and abundant calming effects that visitors from Manila stressed out from work really prefer. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Residents of Manila and other crowded cities in Pampanga like Angeles City and San Fernando travel to Clark to enjoy a peaceful day in Clearwater Resort and Country Club for their birthdays. Here in this well known resort in Pampanga, families and friends gather to celebrate a birthday while relaxing and enjoying a stress-free day in the outdoors, by the lake or among the large trees in the picnic grounds of this popular hotel in Clark Pampanga. Parents and adults are not the only ones who enjoy the clean and safe outdoor facilities of this highly recommended resort in Clark Pampanga. Children have fun with the outdoor facilities, the beach, the water sports, the kayak and rowboats and also the bikes and air-soft guns too. Here in this peaceful lake and beach resort in Pampanga, guests enjoy a memorable day while attending a birthday celebration.

A good treat for holidays and a good place to unwind in the Philippines can be a trip to Clark Pampanga. Visitors to Angeles City and Clark Subic can unwind and relax in the best resort in Pampanga Clearwater in Clark Philippines, a frequently visited hotel near Angeles City where kids can enjoy themselves playing in the safe and clean outdoor facilities. Tourists looking for a place to go in Pampanga and holiday destinations in the Philippines highly recommend a day trip to this private resort in Clark Pampanga Philippines, the best hotel in Clark, a place with beautiful and peaceful ambience where guests can relax and unwind in safety. Clearwater is generally regarded as the best hotel in Clark Pampanga and tourists traveling with children cannot agree with this more, as kids really love the safe and clean outdoor facilities of this private resort in Pampanga. Manila residents, local and foreign tourists visiting Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines frequently visit the famous lake of Clark Freeport to enjoy the peace and quiet outdoor facilities of this resort in Angeles City Clark Subic. Families with children organize reunion and retreat in the famous Clearwater Resort and Country Club, well recognized as the best hotel in Pampanga and a good deluxe resort to enjoy outdoor activities in a safe and secured place inside Clark Philippines.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for. Golf is one of the most popular sports in Clark Philippines because here one can find some of the best golf courses in Pampanga. Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila.

Many visitors travelling to Clark for a short getaway from Manila to unwind and relax away from the city are pleasantly surprised to find a nice beach with white sand in Pampanga. A number of weddings took place around this area which is called the Discovery Cove of Clearwater Resort. Beach ceremony takes place on the white sand and the outdoor garden reception is held for 100 to 500 in the lawn areas just meters away.

A small swimming pool and a swimming lagoon are attached to the beach. Together, these swim spots make for a complete day in the waters for all members of a family. Near the beach and pools are the Lakeside Lodges which are among the highly recommended lodgings and hotel accommodation in Clearwater Resort. Visitors to Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines frequently visit this resort to enjoy the beach and swimming pools. Many spend the night to enjoy the ambience of the resort some more. Clearwater is well regarded among frequent visitors to Clark as one of the best resorts in Pampanga.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)