Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster Resolution No.

1 , Series of 2011
Endorsing House Bill No. 4244 An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development, and for Other Purposes and Senate Bill No. 2865 An Act Providing for A National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development

WHEREAS, the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Cabinet has been mandated to pursue interventions focused on improving the overall quality of life of the Filipino people and translating the gains of good governance into direct immediate, and substantial benefits that will empower the poor and marginalized segments of society; WHEREAS, the current maternal mortality ratio stands at 93 to 163 per 100,000 livebirths as the country continues to face challenges that hamper the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals; WHEREAS, an estimated 6 million women have unmet need for family planning services with about half a million ending up having unwanted and unplanned pregnancies which in turn places women at greater risk for maternal and neonatal complications; WHEREAS, women belonging to the poorest segment of the population tend to have at least 2 more children than what they desire, illustrating the need to improve access of poor families to reproductive health information and services; WHEREAS, the countrys population policy and program, established in 1971 through Republic Act No. 6365 otherwise known as the Population Act of 1971 as amended by Presidential Decree No. 79, has guided the country in the implementation of programs and policies on matters of family planning and population and development through the years; WHEREAS, since then, even with new developments at the international, national and local levels on population and development policies and programs, this law has never been amended and continues to serve as the countrys framework in responding to issues concerning family planning and population and development; WHEREAS, House Bill No. 4244 and Senate Bill No. 2865 will serve as the national policy in the implementation of responsible parenthood, family planning and reproductive health program in the country and will provide one common strategy for local government units in the provision of reproductive health services including family planning; WHEREAS, the proposed bills are rights-based, pro-poor and pro-health and in line with the goals of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016 and our countrys commitment to the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action (ICPDPOA), Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); WHEREAS, the enactment into law of House Bill No. 4244 will help the country in attaining its MDGs by improving maternal health, reducing infant and child mortality and eradicating extreme hunger and poverty;

WHEREAS, the two bills have been endorsed by the Commission on Population Board of Commissioners, Social Development Committee Technical Board, and Social Development Committee Cabinet Level; WHEREAS, these bills were filed 13 years ago and it is high time that our legislators in both houses of Congress to debate, deliberate and vote on these; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cluster of the Cabinet endorse House Bill No. 4244 and Senate Bill No. 2865 and recommend their inclusion in the priority bills of the Aquino Administration. FURTHERMORE, it is strongly recommended that His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, consider the inclusion in his State of the Nation Address a categorical endorsement for the passage of House Bill No. 4244 and Senate Bill No. 2865 as priority administration measures during the early part of the Second Session of the 15 th Congress. Adopted in the City of Manila, this 22nd Two Thousand Eleven. day of July , in the Year of Our Lord,

CORAZON JULIANO-SOLIMAN Chairperson, HDPR Cluster and Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development