Davao SP Says “YES” to Women's Health Care Clinic Ordinance

Fourteen (14) incumbent legislators of the City Council of Davao gave their overwhelming support to City Ordinance No. 335-10, otherwise known as the Women's Health Care Clinic Ordinance of Davao City, as they voted “yes” during a session at the Sagguniang Panlungsod plenary hall last January 12, 2010 which was presided over by a woman vice-mayor, namely Hon. Sara Duterte.

Through the staunch efforts of its major proponent, Hon. Angela Librado-Trinidad, an ordinance that provides a comprehensive reproductive health service for the people of Davao has finally came to fruition despite the strong opposition from some segments of the local Catholic hierarchy. This initiative has been pushed for the last five (5) years in the city council. The ordinance is part of the commitment of the local government of Davao City to adopt a reproductive health care approach at all levels of health care delivery which integrates many issues not previously considered in population, such as, sexuality, reproductive tract infections, gender power relations, domestic violence and shall not be limited to family planning and child bearing only.

The legislative measure outlines the mechanisms for the operation of a clinic that will provide affordable, accessible and accurate reproductive health information and services to the people especially women and children. One of its guiding principles says, “The law must protect the sexual and reproductive health of men no less than that of women, but because women bear the burden of gestation and their lives and health are more at stake in pregnancy and childbirth than those of men, women are more centrally concerned than men in legal protection and promotion of reproductive health.”

Among those who believed in the spirit and letter of the ordinance were Honorables Bangoy, Monteverde, Abellera, Ortiz, Cabling, Librado, Duterte, Sudagar, Bonguyan, Mahipus, Bello, Villafuerte, Acosta and Dayanghirang. Councilors Militar, Apostol and Baluran expressed their abstention while Councilors Braga, Lavina and Reta persistently voted against the ordinance.

The community of non-government organizations, grassroots women's association and people's organizations through the leadership of Lyda Canson of the Reproductive Health Network-Davao extended their gratitude to the councilors who heard the woes of many women and children of Davao through their positive endorsement of the ordinance. She also thanked all the people behind the organizations who did not waver in their campaign for women's health namely the RH Network, Catholics for Reproductive Health Speak Out Movement, and the Women and Children Coordinating Body. “This is a good start for 2010. After years of struggle, the city council finally heard the lamentations of women. In behalf of the women, I thank the city council of Davao for taking a bold step to protect the interest of the marginalized – our women and children,” she said.

This ordinance is long overdue. Finally, the women and children of Davao obtained a policy support that will promote and protect their reproductive health. May the creation of a women's health clinic in the city help reduce maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections, among others. Through this, the women in our communities may look forward for a substantial development in the City of Davao.-#-