MANILA, August 7, 2012— A Catholic Church leader has called for a truce over the contested Reproductive Health (RH) bill Tuesday and called on the public to help the victims of severe flooding in many parts of Luzon.
Fr. Melvin Castro of the CBCP’s Commission on Family and Life, said there is “an urgent need to help” those affected by the incessant downpours that inundated Metro Manila.
Heavy torrential rains set off by the seasonal monsoon overflowed major dams and rivers in Manila and nine nearby provinces.
It also triggered evacuations of tens of thousands of residents and the suspension of work in offices and schools.
The House of Representatives yesterday agreed to end the debate on the controversial population control measure and proceed to the period of amendments before putting it to a vote on second reading.
The Catholic hierarchy as well as faithful lay Catholics strongly oppose the passage of the bill, which seeks to allocate billions of pesos for contraception, sterilization and other artificial family planning services.
The Lower House was scheduled to vote on whether to end debates today, but majority of its members pushed for the voting yesterday following their meeting with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang.
Many anti-RH bill advocates have flooded social networks with messages implying or stating that the bad weather is God’s punishment for the measure.
Asked for comment, Castro said he is not superstitious “but nothing happens by accident.”
“Although we would not wish to give other [meanings] to it, nonetheless God speaks through His creation as well. Nature tells us to respect the natural course of things,” he said.
“For the meantime, let us be united in helping the flood victims,” he added. “This is the real problem of the country… public services. Let’s help each other.” (CBCPNews)
