Former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar said Monday night that there are lots of laws that cover health benefits for women.

Villar, who stressed that she is a “pro-life”, had served as congresswoman of Las Piñas for nine years

There are some provisions in the proposed Reproductive Health (RH) bill, that are already included in the Magna Carta for Women, which she had co-authored, and was passed by Congress in previous years, Villar said.

The problem is not the legislation, but its implementation, Villar, who spoke at the induction of officers of the Negros Occidental Garden Club Monday night at the Pavillon Hotel in Bacolod City, said.

House Bill 4244 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Bill allows poor and marginalized women access to free reproductive health services and supplies. It also allows government to provide funding support for the promotion of modern methods of family planning, she said.

Members of the House of Representatives, who are now finishing the amendments to the RH bill, will vote for its second reading today, after 15 years of delay.

Villar said there is no need to approve new laws to improve the economy and family planning. Maybe, the legislators should do more oversight functions to see to it that legislated laws are implemented, she added.

She also said “We should do projects that help women in their health and livelihood problems”.

Villar recalled that when she was in Congress she initiated and worked for the passage of laws on anti-trafficking of women and children, anti-violence against women, protection of children in the workplace, and the juvenile justice system.*GPB

back to top