Families Against the RH BIll - Newspaper Ad for December 17, 2012

Modern NFP is NOT Rhythm

Modern NFP not rhythm method

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 21:22:00 04/07/2011

THERE IS so much misunderstanding of issues surrounding the Reproductive Health bill and we partly know why.

It is not correct to say “the Church wants couples to use only the rhythm or calendar method of family planning.” (“Priests not speaking out enough vs RH bill,” Inquirer, 3/30/11)

This is a very simple but important detail supplied as background information by Inquirer news reporter Philip Tubeza—and therefore presented as if factual. It forms part of the misunderstanding between proponents and opponents of the RH bill. Its frequent mention in local media affirms a US-based study on why there is widespread ignorance and prejudice regarding Natural Family Planning (NFP).

The media, along with many healthcare professionals, are uninformed about modern methods of NFP like the Sympto-Thermal Method, the Ovulation Method, or the Billings Method; so they group the various modern natural methods under the title “rhythm.”

NFP methods are “99 percent to 100 percent effective” in avoiding pregnancy, according to studies done in the United States, but this remains unknown to the general public. Many people including health care providers are skeptical of anything natural, and instead they tend to lean toward drugs, surgery and devices. They find it difficult to believe that ordinary married couples can understand their mutual fertility well enough to achieve the same effectiveness associated with powerful drugs.

Contraceptive advocates worldwide have been unfair in their treatment of NFP. Old rhythm studies from Latin America with low effectiveness rates are repeatedly cited, but a recent and well-designed study by the US federal government showing 100-percent method effectiveness of modern NFP is ignored or misquoted.

The organization Families Against the RH Bill espouses the use of these modern NFP methods, which have been proven more effective than any artificial means and are absolutely safe; and these methods promote respect for women. Women are made aware of the power of their fertility, which is liberating, as opposed to the bondage of artificial birth control methods that suppress normal body functions.

It is encouraging to hear reports that President Aquino is in favor of “modern methods of family planning.” But how much does he or his advisers know about these modern natural family planning methods? An information campaign on these modern NFP methods will not cost the government much, and requires no legislation.

We hope to be able to identify more of these common misconceptions about the people’s objection to the RH bill—not just the Church’s—for a better discussion of the issues. We trust the media will do their part.

—CHRISTINE JACOB-SANDEJAS,

Families Against the RH Bill

Manifesto of "Families Against the RH Bill"

7 Point Manifesto FAMILIES AGAINST RH BILL

Whereas, there is a proposed RH Bill being deliberated in Congress that threatens the very foundations of the Filipino family as an institution.

Whereas, we the undersigned families as the most affected stakeholders must take an active part in discussions relating to the welfare of the family.

Whereas, we as citizens of the Republic are opposed to the passage of the proposed bill known as "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011" for the following reasons:

1. The RH Bill is anti Family. The contraceptive lifestyle destroys the very foundations family. Contraceptives bring about the downgrading of marriage, disrespect for one’s spouse, usually the wife; leads to more extramarital sex, more fatherless children and single mothers – as proven by Nobel prize winner, George Akerlof.

2. Parents are the primary educators of their children. As parents, we do not agree that children from age 10 to 17 should be taught sexual “rights” and the means to have a satisfying and "safe" sex life as part of their school curriculum (Sec. 16, Mandatory Age-Appropriate Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education). We also oppose other provisions such as losing our parental authority over a minor child who was raped and found pregnant (Section 28a. No. 2).

3. As citizens, we do not want to be subjected to imprisonment and/or pay a fine, for expressing an opinion against any provision of the proposed RH law, if such expression of opinion is interpreted as constituting "malicious disinformation" (Sec. 28, Prohibited Acts, Par. e and Sec. 29, Penalties).

4. As spouses, we do not agree that our husband or wife can undergo a ligation or vasectomy without our consent or knowledge. (Sec. 28, Prohibited Acts).

5. As taxpayers, we are against the misuse of our money that the proposed RH Bill will do. If Filipino families are too poor to afford artificial contraceptives, they are also too poor to afford essential medicines that can cure real killer diseases. “HB 5043 places an overwhelming emphasis on contraception at the expense of all other values, including medical care for the sick and the dying. Top 10 causes of Morbidity/Death in the Philippines lists Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Diarrhea, Influenza and Hypertension as the highest ranking causes of death among women. There is a distortion of human values if we prioritize the prevention of procreation over saving lives.”

6. The RH Bill lies about science facts on the use of artificial contraceptives.

• The pill and the IUD kill babies: human life begins at fertilization, when the male sperm penetrates the female egg. The pill has a secondary “post-fertilization effect”, according to the American Medical Association. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology has declared that the intrauterine device brings about “destruction of the early embryo.”

• The pill causes cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2007 reported that the pill causes cancer, giving it the HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARCINOGENICITY, THE SAME AS CIGARETTES AND ASBESTOS. It also causes stroke, and significantly increases the risk of heart attacks.

• The condom has been blamed for the increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in countries that resorted to it, notably Africa and Thailand.

7. The RH Bill is based on wrong economics.

“There is no clear correlation between population growth and economic development”, according to Simon Kuznets, Nobel Prize winner in the science of economics.

Population control is not an ingredient for high economic growth, as found by the 2008 Commission on Growth and Development headed by Nobel Prize winner Michael Spence. The growth factors are: governance, openness to knowledge, stable finances, market allocation, investment and savings.

The RH Bill is based on flawed data on population growth rates and fertility levels. In 1960, the average number of children per Filipina in her lifetime was seven. By 1980 it was five. By 2000 it was 3.5. In 2010 the NSO projected in at 3.0 and about 2.65 by 2020 – near the replacement level of 2.25. The RH Bill ignores the negative impact on the economy and society of an ageing population

PH’s Population Growth Rate has declined since the Year 2000 Census of 2.36%. UN states it at 1.8%, whilst the NCSO reports 1.94% for 2005-2010. RP’s – without the benefit of government-funded contraceptives envisioned by the RH Bill.

Therefore based on the aforementioned facts, we, concerned Filipino Familes, enjoin the national government, particularly our legislators, to SCRAP THE RH BILL pending in the Congress.

Furthermore, We enjoin our fellow countrymen to know the facts about the arguments in this national issue seriously affecting families, and to make a stand and protect the right of the Filipino families.