National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson and singer Aiza Seguerra slammed Senator Vicente Sotto III over his opposition to the health department's initiative to distribute condoms to youth in schools.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Seguerra, who used to work with Sotto during her days as a child star and in a known noontime show, called out the senator for his statements against safe sex programs, even as HIV/AIDS cases continue to grow in the country.
"Mabilis na pagtaas ng HIV/AIDS lalo na sa kabataan, laganap na teenage pregnancy at patuloy na pagtaas ng populasyon ang nagiging sanhi kung kaya't marami sa ating mga kababayan ang naghihirap at hindi nakaka access ng dekalidad na serbisyo ng gobyerno," Seguerra wrote.
[Translation: HIV/AIDS cases are rapidly increasing, especially among the youth. Teen pregnancy continues to rise, and the growing population is one of the reasons why so many of our countrymen are in poverty and can't access quality government services.]
"Hindi po ito haka-haka, Mr. Senator [This is not conjecture, Mr. Senator]. These are facts. Based on science and research," she added.
Seguerra noted that as government officials, it is their duty to protect their constintuents, adding that the Reproductive Health Bill has long been hampered by conservatives, who would never concede to the need for safe sex programs in the country.
"We have an epidemic here, a youth epidemic. It is precisely because of this 'sentiment of a conservative culture' kaya lalong pataas ng pataas ang HIV [This is why HIV cases continue to rise]," she said.
Based on Department of Health (DOH) statistics, since 1984, 27% of reported HIV/AIDS cases in the country are patients between 15 and 24 years old, with 95% of youth cases transmitted through unprotected sex.
Seguerra blamed the rise in these cases on the country's unwillingness to discuss sex, saying it put the Filipino youth at risk.
"Dahil sa conservative culture na ito [Because of this conservative culture], the Filipino people were denied of RH services for the longest time. Damage has been brought upon our people by this conservative culture because it makes us decide based on beliefs at hindi hard evidence," she said.
"Would you rather people keep dying of HIV/AIDS as long as hindi na o-offend ang sensibilities ninyo [your sensibilities are not offended]?" Seguerra added.
Seguerra's Facebook post came after Sotto's recent remarks againts the DOH Secretary Paulyn Rsell-Ubial.
Ubial on Monday posted a series of tweets showing her frustration against those opposing the Health Department's plan to distribute condoms in school.
In her tweets, Ubial justified the department's move, saying they only want to promote safe sex and allow students to make an educated choice on the matter. She added that condoms are scientfically proven to be safe and effective.
If you don't want condom use among sexually active young people, what do you want us to do?— Paulyn Rosell-Ubial (@Dok_Pau) January 16, 2017
Condoms will not be given like candies! It will be done with very close supervision and counseling!— Paulyn Rosell-Ubial (@Dok_Pau) January 16, 2017
Our call on oppositors: DO NOT IMPOSE YOUR BELIEFS ON OTHERS!— Paulyn Rosell-Ubial (@Dok_Pau) January 16, 2017
Sotto, however, had a different point of view, advising Ubial to review the Reproductive Health Law.
"Apparently she has not read the RH law. Nandun lahat kung papaano gagawin, even in the education and counseling methods for youth, nandun lahat sa RH law [The RH law lists education and counseling methods for the youth]... I suggest she read the law and implement it well," he said.
Sotto added, the rise in HIV/AIDS has never been attributed to sexual contact among students.
Source / Image: CNN Philippines
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