Think Bits
The condom campaign
By Ricky Poca
Under Secretary Esperanza Cabral’s leadership, the Department of Health has shown aggressiveness in promoting the use of condoms to prevent the further spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Naturally, the Catholic Church opposes Cabral’s campaign and some bishops are challenging the health secretary to a debate.
The condom controversy has been with us for a very long time, and I guess the church is merely challenged by the way Cabral is conducting herself as health secretary. In the layman’s perspective, however, the church may need an innovative approach in challenging Cabral’s campaign.
Is the church not doing enough in educating the people about the “evils” or “flaws” of the use of condoms? I think the Church is doing her very best, but many people are simply convinced that there is no other way to prevent the spread of HIV infection but through the use of condoms. Abstinence from sex seems too tough for them. Many Filipinos also think that the only way to effectively control population growth is through the use of contraceptives.
My objection against the government’s condom campaign is that it also promotes promiscuity. Its message to the people is “Yes, you can have sex, even if your partner has a sexually transmitted disease, provided you wear a condom.”
So how do you prevent people from acquiring HIV without letting them use condoms? Simply say “no” to one-night stands, casual sex, multiple sex partners or taking drugs using hypodermic needles.
Promoting of the use of condoms just sends the wrong signal. It demeans our humanity, reducing people to animals catering to their biological needs.
The best thing for government to do is to underscore the importance of keeping our values. It’s the most potent tool in our fight against HIV. We may not be perfect but there is nothing wrong with striving to be near perfect, rather than reinforcing the wrong notions by telling people they can keep satisfying their sexual appetites as long as they use condoms.
On the use of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, I think government is misguided. There is no overpopulation in the
People from the barrios troop to urban centers, hoping for jobs and better living conditions. Most of them end up worse, living in slums as squatters, committing crimes, and losing their souls. This is a fact in Luzon, Visayas and
If I were the government I would adopt Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiative’s (Promdi) program, promoting rural development by creating economic activities in rural areas.
People who are crowding big cities will go back to their hometowns when there are jobs and livelihoods for them. That is where the government should focus its efforts instead of promoting contraceptives. I will, however, support a reproductive health program that helps ensure that mothers stay healthy before, during and after childbirth.
We should learn from neighboring countries that have adopted population control.
We send our countrymen to developed countries that are in need of profession and skilled labor. Our dollar earners feel lucky to be earning more than their counterparts in the
But there’s a sad flipside to sending Filipino workers abroad. The social costs: dysfunctional families, drug addiction and loss of values. The government should establish a program that helps families of overseas Filipino workers cope with the challenges of the new setup.
Ultimately, whether the issue is the prevention of HIV, population control or the economy, the government should focus on strengthening the Filipino family. It’s the basic unit of society. If we can’t protect it, there’s little else we can do.
