By Ben O. Tesiorna

Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is all out in his support on President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s campaign on family planning that has earned the ire of the Roman Catholic church with the President being threatened of excommunication by the Church leaders.

In his television program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” Sunday, Duterte said that even before the national issue came about, the City Government of Davao had already passed its own reproductive health bill which he signed into an ordinance last March 22, 2010.

“I am behind President Aquino on his crusade and I also support Rep. Edcel Lagman on his (reproductive health) bill. In my time (as mayor), I encouraged ligation and vasectomy and spacing as family planning method,” Duterte said.

He said some church’s teachings on family planning method contravene the human nature of procreation thus making them impossible to follow.  

“Naay mga relihiyon na mubangga sa biology sa tawo. Ilang iprescribe ang puwasa, dili man gyud na mahimo (There are some religion that go against the human biology. They prescribe sexual abstinence which is almost impossible). The urge to procreate is the most powerful force in the entire universe. Your teachings go against the grain of biology,” Duterte said.

He said couples have the right to choose which family planning method is most effective for them and the government has the obligation to provide their constituents with all the possible choices available regardless of what is the stand of the Church.

“Tuo mo anang impyerno. Ang akong koneksyon sa Ginoo dili ang akong relihiyon kung dili ang akong pagtuo (Do not believe in hell. My connection with God is not thru my religion but thru my belief). There is no need for religion to go to Heaven and to talk to God. Excommunicate? Sige (Go ahead). My God understands my biological needs kay iya akong (because I am His) creation. Akong Ginoo masabtunon. Wa ka nagkinahanglan ug relihiyon para muadto sa langit or impyerno (My God is very understanding. I don’t need religion to go to heaven or hell),” Duterte said.

“I maintain that the govt must make available the pills but it should be given responsibly,” he added.

City Ordinance No. 335-10, otherwise known as the Women’s Health Care Clinic Ordinance of Davao City provides a comprehensive reproductive health service for the people and 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 is not limited to family planning and child bearing only.