Bogo council: No to condoms in schools
The Bogo City Council does not favor the Department of Health's proposed move to distribute condoms in schools, saying it's not an assurance to solve teenage pregnancy or protect teens from sexually-transmitted diseases.
“The distribution of condoms to schoolaged children does not solve the problem at all, but only creates a norm among teens, ignites their curiosity, and exposes them more to dangers that should be averted as pressure among peers pushes them to participate in sexual acitivity,” part of the council resolution read.
The measure was authored by Councilor Lyndon Hee Acusar and approved unanimously by the council.
A copy of the resolution was furnished to DepEd Bogo City Division Office, Bogo City Health Office, Department of Health-7, and the Provincial Health Office.
The council, in the resolution, said contraception instruction and the use of condoms as part of comprehensive sex education “does not guarantee the safety of the children from STDs, HIV and teenage pregnancy.”
The body cited a DOH report showing that the number of individuals who are diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have increased over the recent years, with some of the victims getting younger.
According to the study, 94 percent of those inflicted with the virus are males, the youngest recorded being an 11-year-old.
Further, the council said 86 percent of STD cases involve male-to-male contact.
But Acusar said the indiscriminate use of condom only encourages promiscuity and aggravates the trend, adding that its misleading guarantee of protection can further exploit students to use contraceptive resulting to sexual behavior.
The council suggested that sexuality education program in schools be strengthened by the Department of Education.
“The family is the principal creator of personal values of children. The school must fortify the authority of parents and not weaken it by substituting with supplemental instruction on contraception and the use of condoms among school children,” the resolution read.
Earlier, the health department's plan to distribute condoms in schools drew criticisms from various quarters, including some officials in the government.
Health Secretary Ubial, however, hit back at critics saying that those condoms will be distributed with supervision and counseling.
The DOH was looking at working with DepEd regarding the plan. However, Education Secretary Leonor Briones had already thumbed down on the proposal, saying her department was not inclined to support the idea.