The distribution of condoms in schools is no longer the primary consideration of the Department of Health (DoH), Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial said yesterday, a day after the Department of Education (DepEd) rejected the idea.
“The recommendation to involve schools to provide services to improve condom access is not anymore a primary consideration after DoH and DepEd agreed to take a different path but which shall still complement each other’s prerogatives. The DepEd will focus on HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] information and education where appropriate while DoH will work with other partners to ensure information is linked to service provision including but not limited to condom access,” Ubial noted.
Last year, amid the rising number of HIV cases, the DoH started pushing for the “business unusual” strategy; which includes distributing condoms in schools, specifically in school clinics, in order to help inform students on the illness. The program, however, received a lot of criticisms.
On Monday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones signified that the DepEd will not be involved in the DoH condom distribution program; citing the agency’s responsibilities, based on an Executive Order and a Supreme Court decision, to enhance gender sensitivity and reproductive health education. (Charina Echaluce)