Pro-life advocate and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza yesterday slammed plans of the Department of Health to distribute condoms in schools as part of a nationwide anti-HIV/AIDS campaign.
Atienza, who represents the pro-life group Buhay Partylist, said DoH statistics on HIV-AIDS could be part government’s “scare tactics” to pressure Filipinos into supporting the Reproductive Health program which is allegedly open to abuse.
“Sa halip na turuang makipagtalik ang mga bata, bakit hindi nila ituro ang wastong pag-uugali, pagmamahal sa bayan, sports and culture at magpalakas ng kani-kanilang pangangatawan,” said Atienza, senior deputy minority leader in the Lower House.
The opposition stalwart said sex education of the youth is best left for the parents and responsible guardians to undertake.
“Condoms have not really prevented the spread of HIV in many parts of the world. That is what happened in Thailand and many other countries in Europe,” Atienza told a news forum yesterday.
Earlier, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial disclosed that the DoH plans to distribute condoms in schools as the department has confirmed a rise in the number of HIV and AIDS among the country’s youth.
DoH statistics showed that a total 38,114 HIV cases were recorded in the country from 1984 to October 2016. At least 10,279 of the cases involve young people aged 15 to 24 years old.
Atienza said questionable data on people allegedly infected with the HIV-AIDS virus are being spread in various parts of the world by organizations motivated with a population control agenda.
“Why is DoH too eager to distribute condoms? Government doctors are also endorsing the use of Implanon, a contraceptive that can cause abortion,” said Atienza. (BEN R. ROSARIO)
