A City Councilor has expressed support to the nationwide distribution of condoms in all public high schools, saying that it is the responsibility of the Department of Health to ensure public health and safety.
In a news conference, Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said that while she is not for premarital sex and promiscuity, she is not against DOH’s plan as the health agency is doing whatever is necessary to contain the problem on the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the country.
“Half of those who engage in reckless sex behavior do not use condoms and there is low condom use in our country,” Villafuerte said, adding that it may be one of the factors why HIV-AIDS numbers are rising.
It can be recalled that Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the nationwide distribution in schools is part of the measures to stop the spread of the virus among the Filipino youth.
Villafuerte said she has already talked to the Regional Director for Health, Dr. Abdullah Dumama, and revealed that DOH will pilot the program on distribution of condoms in other regions and not in Davao.
“While they intend to distribute condoms, I would make sure all stakeholders such as the Department of Education, Commission of Higher Education, Parents-Teachers Association, and the church will be heard so the program will be properly implemented with their support,” Villafuerte said, adding that the health sector would explain why the spread of HIV is increasing.
Asked why the condoms had to be distributed to high school students, Villafuerte explained that teenagers aged 17 to 24 is one of the key affected populations that could acquire HIV-AIDS.
“We don’t want to think that our children are having sex, but it’s really happening, so we have to talk about it and work together to reduce the number of HIV-positive patients,” Villafuerte said.
With sexually active individuals getting younger compared to previous years, DOH is also working with the Department of Education in providing public high school students with sex education.
“I admit that giving minors condoms is a dilemma, but that’s why it must be coupled with education,” he said.
The DOH encouraged the public to practice the ABCs of HIV prevention. These are abstinence, being faithful, using contraceptives, do not abuse alcohol and education.
“If we do not guide other people about what HIV is and how it is spread, then the problem would not stop,” Villafuerte said.
