FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS

41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, Quezon City 1109, Philippines

Telefax: (632) 647-1451 Telephone: (632) 647-1093
E-mail: lqmontemayor@yahoo.com Website: www.freefarm.org

STATEMENT ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (RH) BILLS IN CONGRESS

The Federation of Free Farmers, meeting at its national convention on 3 May 2011 in Quezon
City, reaffirms its commitment to uphold the sacredness of human life and the integrity of the
Filipino family as the bedrock of Philippine society. These long-held and deeply cherished
values are also enshrined in the Philippine Constitution and many existing laws.

Consistent with this position, the FFF registers its vehement opposition to the so-called RH
(reproductive health) bills pending in both Houses of Congress. The main reasons are:

1. Filipinos in general and farmers in particular consider their children as blessings to their
families and as assets to society. In contrast, the RH bills seem to treat pregnancy as a disease
and child-rearing as an affliction, both to be prevented or even eliminated.

2. The massive promotion and provision of pills, implants and other artificial means of birth
control will likely expose our women to greater, rather than less, risks to their health. The bad
side-effects of these methods are medically recognized and have been validated by actual
experience, especially among rural women, who face the daily reality of extremely limited
medical supervision and facilities in the countryside. (On the other hand, natural family
planning - such as the Billings ovulation method - is easily affordable, protects women’s health
and the life of the unborn, enhances husband-wife interaction, and respects the religious faith
and cultural sensitivities of the overwhelming majority of Filipinos.)

3. The RH bills assume mistakenly that lowering population will lead to a significant drop in
poverty. Actually, history teaches that it is the opposite that holds true. Hence, the limited
resources of government are better invested in economically and socially productive programs
on food security, education and skills training, and improved governance, among others.

4. The provisions on mandatory sexuality education will likely bring about a tectonic shift in
the youth’s mind set against our traditional and constitutionally protected values on the
individual, marriage and the family. For instance, some of the RH bills apparently will recognize
the right of adolescents to a satisfying sex life even outside of marriage, provided that the right
is exercised “responsibly”.