Provincial Consultative Meeting on International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) @ 15 (Part 12)

Synthesis: Two top officials of national government agencies in Bicol (POPCOM, DOH) revealed that three major goals such as infant mortality, maternal health and combating HIV-AIDS and Malaria under the ICPD and MDGs programs might not be attained/ difficulty to accomplish with the remaining five years implementation. No strong and national policy on RH due to lack of political will of the politicians and massive intervention/opposition of catholic leaders. An increasing infant mortality prevalence taking place across the region due to pneumonia following poverty as numerous families could not afford to buy off medicines. Maternal mortality incidence also rising in the region following complications related to pregnancy occurring in the course of labor, delivery and post delivery period. While the participants discussed extensively religion matter which hinder the passage of RH care bill in the country. Despite of complexities, the participants vowed to push and mobilize signature campaign from all sectors of the society including informal sector, students to come up with sufficient figure to compel Congress and President Arroyo to approve the SB3122 immediately. Aside from pushing for the immediate approval of the RH bill, the activities also focused on responsible parenting, adolescent and sexuality, information dissemination through the help of mass media. The group also vowed to urge LGUs to take the lead, to allocate funds for the attainment of ICPD and MDGs PoA.