LEGAZPI-SORSOGON
Fact-finding in Legazpi-Sorsogon was conducted from April 12-13, 2016 in East District –
Brgys. San Lorenzo, and Bibincahan; West District – Brgys. Macabog and Pangpang; Bacon
District – Brgys. Poblacion, Burabod, and Caricaran; and in Brgy. Balogo within Sorsogon
City.
Interview was the core method employed in gathering information. The task is
supplemented by ocular visits to Sorsogon Provincial Health Office, City Health Office in East
District, and selected barangay health centers. House to house visits, pharmacy inquiry, and
test buy of RH goods were also conducted. The Office of the Family Planning Organization of
the Philippines was also visited.
Most significant about this area in relation to RH is its “Pro-Life” Ordinance. Executive Order
No. 3 series of 2015, entitled “AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING SORSOGON CITY AS A
PRO-LIFE CITY,” was issued by Hon. Mayor Sally A. Lee and took effect on February 2, 2015.
EO 003 was sourced out from Sections 12 and 15 Article II and Section 3(2) Article XV of the
Philippine Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Magna Carta of
Women (RA 9710). This order neither elucidates what a “PRO-LIFE” city is nor provides
particulars on how or why it should be called as such.
From this EO 3, the proposal of Hon. City Councilor Emmanuel Diolata entitled, “An
Ordinance Declaring Sorsogon City as a Pro-life City and Providing For its Guidelines and
Policies” was developed. Although the proposed ordinance has not been approved to date,
the effect of the EO was to prefer natural family planning method from the natural artificial
and modern artificial methods putting in a dilemma the availability, accessibility, and
comprehensibility of application of RA 10354. Women’s rights to RH were hampered when
the DOH-LGU’s distribution program was interrupted. These are among the critical issues
confronting the full implementation of RA 10354. Despite the call of the DOH V, DILG V,
CHRV, and POPCOM V to look into the current situation and reexamine the actions in order
to provide uninterruptedly full, comprehensive, and accessible RH goods and services among
the women-clientele, the LGU’s disposition is unchanged. Just the same, the barriers remain
in Sorsogon City, complemented by the invocation of Supreme Court’s ruling on the
unconstitutionality of some provisions of RH Law and the TRO which is still in effect.
The public hearing was conducted in April 14, 2016, in the nearby town of Daraga. A total of
40 participants were present, with representatives from the following GOs and NGOs:
Department of Health, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Bicol University,
MIDAS, Radio Siram, DZGB AM, Social Action Center-Legazpi, Diocese of Legazpi Commission
on Family Life, Process. Representatives from LGUs and personnel from CHR-V were also in
attendance.
The fact-finding mission and public hearing followed the regional consultation conducted in
March 30, 2016 in Legazpi City.
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