Pia backs DILG vs anti-RH ordinances

Pia backs DILG vs anti-RH ordinances

Statement of Senator Pia S. Cayetano

Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health and Demography

“While it is true that Local Government Units (LGUs) were granted greater autonomy under the Local Government Code, this should not be misinterpreted or expanded to include the power to issue ordinances that would contradict the Constitution or any existing national laws. Such is the case in the anti-RH ordinances passed by the Bangay Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa council and seven other barangays in Bataan.”

“The concerned barangay executives must realize that they cannot arbitrarily arrogate to themselves the authority to determine the safety of any food, drugs and devices in the market, including contraceptives. This power firmly remains with the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) as mandated by national laws, and so any exercise of this power by the barangay amounts to usurpation of authority.”

“The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) did the right thing when it reminded LGUs not to overstep its bounds on the issue of reproductive health, particularly in restricting the use and sale of contraceptives in their localities.”