The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lauded the Supreme Court declaration of Republic Act 10354, known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive health (RPRH), as “not unconstitutional” and considers it as a giant leap forward in the fight against poverty.

1. Office of the President of the Philippines
NATIONAL ANTI-POVERTY COMMISSION
LWUA Water Supply Training Center
MWSS-LWUA Complex, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Trunk lines 4264956, 4264965, 4265019, 4265028, Fax 9279838
Press Statement
11 April 2014
NAPC lauds SC ruling RPRH as constitutional, sees better human development targets in near
future
The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lauded the Supreme Court declaration of Republic
Act 10354, known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive health (RPRH), as “not
unconstitutional” and considers it as a giant leap forward in the fight against poverty.
“We expect to see improved human development indicators in the next few years after the RPRH
Law gets implemented by national government and local government units,” NAPC Secretary Joel
Rocamora said after the Supreme Court decision on Tuesday.
“The law affirms the freedom of couples to decide on the number and spacing of their children, and
their access to government-provided family planning services. When local governments, including
public hospitals and health centers are be able to respond to the reproductive health needs of
women,”the fight against increasing poverty becomes stronger. The economic empowerment of
women requires that women be allowed to make decisions and choices over their sexual and
reproductive health,” Rocamora clarified.
In addition, NAPC Undersecretary Florencia Dorotan said, “Data gathered directly from
communities and regional offices show we are still short of reaching our Millenium Development
Goals targets on poverty-reduction and health by 2015.”
“But with the full implementation of the RPRH law, we look forward to significant decrease in
maternal and infant mortality, better nutrition for our babies, a protective environment for women
and children, healthier lifestyle for young people who are aware of the ill-effects of irresponsible
choices, and free and accessible services and supplies for poor couples who cannot afford the
expensive family planning commodities,” the Undersecretary added.
NAPC, which functions under the Office of the President, coordinates and advises on the anti-
poverty strategies of the Philippine government. Along with the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), NAPC also monitors the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP),
which involves civil society and community organizations in local development planning to address
the most urgent concerns of marginalized and vulnerable sectors, including reproductive health
and family planning needs.
For more information, contact:
Bryan G. Villasana
Communications Officer
+639272862812
napc.comms@gmail.com