1. Jeannette I.

Andrade - Reporter / @jiandradeINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:39 AM August 26, 2016

Its not about sex, but about matters that affect ones personal safety, hygiene and well-being.

This, according to a Department of Education (DepEd) official, was the primary aim of sexuality
education in the K-12 curriculum, that detractors of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Law of 2012 (RH Law) have denounced for supposedly teaching adolescents and grade-school
pupils about the sex act.

Teaching age-appropriate sexuality education in public schools is one of the provisions of the RH Law
whose full implementation President Duterte has pushed for.

In a statement, Rosalie Masilang, DepEd Adolescent Reproductive Health focal person and supervising
education program specialist, said teaching sex education in school was meant to equip and empower
learners in making informed choices and decisions on issues that affect their personal safety and well-
being.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/809926/sex-education-not-about-sex-deped#ixzz4sBhxlzxs

Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/809926/sex-education-not-about-sex-deped

2. Sex Education: A Step towards Improving the Sexual Attitudes and Practices of Muslim Adolescent
Students

Naima T. Datumanong-Mala

Discipline: Social Science

Abstract:

Sex education is a major source of learning about sexual health related issues which are not extensively
explained in the average science classes. However, it is a sensitive subject for most Meranaos because of
the conservative culture of most Muslim societies. In the absence of sex education and due to their
immaturity, adolescents may have divergent sexual attitudes and commit irresponsible practices. This
quantitative descriptive-correlational study was conducted to discover the sexual attitudes and practices
of Muslim adolescents towards the several aspects of sexual relationships: courtship, heterosexual
relationship, dating, and pre-marital relationship before and after the implementation of the sex
education program in different high schools in Lanao del Sur First District. Paired t-test analysis was used
to test if there is a significant relationship between the sexual attitudes and practices before and after
the implementation of the sex education program. The findings reveal that the implementation of the
sex education program resulted in the general decline of activities that could lead to sexual relations, as
well as a significant decrease in the participants sexual attitudes and practices. This research concludes
that there is a significant difference in the sexual attitudes and practices of the respondents before and
after the implementation of the sex education program.

https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=2337

3. Learning sex education in school

Today's generation needs more than the usual discussion about the birds and bees

Ana P. Santos

Published 7:29 PM, August 04, 2015

Updated 7:30 PM, August 04, 2015

Sex education

Its not every day that these teens get to talk openly about sex and the struggles of being a teenager in
their classroom. Usually, they talk amongst themselves in huddles and whispers. They get their
information - often tainted with misconceptions and myths - from their other friends who dont know
any more than they do.

Sex ed is a minefield of hearsay and speculation, where biology is a more of a subject to pass than the
understanding of how the body functions.

This is the first time that the students of Maayon National High School are getting this kind of sex ed
class in school. The FPOP, in partnership with UNICEF, has conducted medical missions in the school, but
this particular mission includes family planning services for mothers and teen sexuality education for
students.
Under the Usapan Series," a module designed by UNICEF and FPOP, issues such as teen pregnancy, and
relationships are discussed and students are given an orientation on HIV 101.

Its about time

This is the time (high school) that girls get their period and when boys start having wet dreams. This is
the start of the reproductive health years when these young adolescents need information to help them
make sense of these hormonal changes, said Dr. Anabelle Fajardo, executive director of FPOP.

According to the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS), among the more than 19,000
youth who were surveyed, 1 out of 3 Filipinos between the ages of 20-24 have had casual sex.

YAFS estimates that 1.4 million young people have engaged in casual sex, with about 600,000 having had
FUBU or f*ck buddy.

Different generation, different needs

The needs of young people are different now, said Ronilo Tu, principal of Maayon National High School.
Tu has spent many years in the education sector across different schools.

Before, our major problem was over the bakod (going over the fence) to cut classes. Now, we encounter
cyberbullying, violence and teen pregnancy. We educators, together with parents, need to adapt to
these changes so we can address them, said Tu.

Parents were informed about the family planning sessions and it was met with no opposition.

The information that the students get here can be passed on to older brothers and sisters and even
their parents. We see this as benefitting the entire community, said Tu.

Under the Reproductive Health Law, comprehensive sexuality education taught in a way that matches
the age of the students should be made part of the school curriculum. However, a training of teachers on
sexuality modules will need to be done before this can be fully implemented.

https://www.rappler.com/corruption/101547-learning-sex-education-school

4. MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 12 which implements
Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012.

The Reproductive Health (RH) Law has not been implemented due to a temporary restraining order
issued by the Supreme Court.
RELATED: SC urged: Lift TRO on RH law

The strengthening of the RH Law implementation is part of the Duterte administration's 10-point socio-
economic agenda to "enable poor couples to make informed choices on financial and family planning."

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that at least six million women, of which two million
are poor, have unmet need for any modern method of contraception.

"This Order aims to intensify and accelerate the implementation of critical actions necessary and sustain
'zero unmet need for modern family planning' for all poor households by 2018, and all of Filipinos
thereafter, within the context of the [RH] Law and its implementing rules," the order read.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

The president ordered the Department of Health, Commission on Population, Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG) and other relevant government agencies to collaborate with all local
government units (LGUs) for the implementation of the RH Law.

The executive order directed the Department of Education to implement a "gender-sensitive" and
"rights-based" comprehensive sexuality education in the school curriculum.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development was ordered to integrate RH Law strategies in the
national poverty reduction and social protection programs.

The DILG was tasked to monitor compliance of LGUs with the implementation of the RH Law.

Duterte signed EO 12 on Monday through Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea. The order will take
effect immediately.

The order came amid the Supreme Court's temporary restraining order on contraceptive implants, a
contraceptive that can prevent pregnancies for up to three years.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/01/11/1661715/duterte-signs-eo-implement-rh-law

5.DepEd: Sexuality education to protect learners vs exploitation

August 25, 2016

To equip and empower learners in making informed choices and decisions on issues that affect their
personal safety and well-being, the Department of Education (DepEd) integrates and ensures an age-
appropriate, developmental, and culture-sensitive sexuality education for learners in the K to 12 Basic
Education Curriculum.
This is in response to Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of
2012. Stated under its Section 14, the State shall provide an age- and development-appropriate
reproductive health education for adolescents, which shall be taught by adequately trained teachers in
the formal and non-formal educational system.

As early as Grade 1, learners are taught about good touch and bad touch, which helps them avoid
becoming victims of other peoples unwanted behaviors.

Sinasabi natin sa mga bata na may karapatan silang tumangging magpahawak sa kanilang katawan.
Dapat alam ng bata yung hawak na walang malisya at may malisya, Dr. Rosalie B. Masilang, DepEd
Adolescent Reproductive Health Focal Person and Supervising Education Program Specialist said.

Masilang cited that children at this age are most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, and that there are
cases where the offenders are their relatives. May mga cases kami na kung saan ang unang
nangmomolestya sa mga bata ay hindi kaiba sa kanila, yung immediate family members pa nila, she
added.

Sexuality education can be integrated in the curriculum in two waysnatural and purposive. Learning
areas where natural integration is possible are Science, Health, Araling Panlipunan, and Edukasyon sa
Pagpapakatao. Purposive integration can be done in learning areas like Mathematics and Language.

The DepEd emphasized that discussions on sexuality education is not about the sex act, as is the
common misconception, but on the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values
and the norms of interpersonal relations to avoid pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy.

In Science, sexuality education topics cover the parts of the body, reproductive system, reproductive
cycle, and puberty. In Health, topics include personal hygiene and reproductive health. Discussions on
issues like gender and sexuality, the Reproductive Health Law, same-sex marriage, prostitution, and
gender-based violence are integrated in Araling Panlipunan. Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao covers topics
about developmental tasks and actions during puberty, and families mission on educating and shaping
the faith of the learners.

Furthermore, mathematical analysis and statistics, and grammar and vocabulary enhancement in
Mathematics and Language classes, respectively, can be taught using data and texts on issues like
teenage pregnancy, premarital sex, and sexually transmitted infections.

The DepEd also invests in capacitating its teachers and guidance counselors with appropriate knowledge
and skills on teaching responsible parenthood, reproductive health education and life coaching, through
Learning Action Cell (LAC).

To make this effort possible, the DepEd partnered with the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on
Population (PopCom), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), University of the Philippines Population
Institute (UPPI), and other government and non-government agencies.
http://www.deped.gov.ph/press-releases/deped-sexuality-education-protect-learners-vs-exploitation

6.Sex Education in the Philippines

MARCH 3, 2017 by AARON RONQUILLO

Sex Education is probably one of the sensitive topics as far as the Philippines is concerned. It has been a
subject of debate whether to incorporate this in the school curriculum. The reason behind it is to
address the problems of pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancies among teenagers, and to check the
spread of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).

Most recently, the Department of Health announced a plan to distribute condoms to high school
students. They said this is in conjunction with introducing sex education to these students in order to
address the aforementioned problems.

This move was met with strong if not harsh criticism from the conservatives of society. While the
aforementioned measure will address the said problems, the issue here is whether the youth are mature
enough to understand the nature of sex.

The concern of these groups is that these youths might be further encouraged to engage in (pre-marital)
sex since these condoms are an assurance they can do it safely without the risk of transmitting STDs or
getting their partner pregnant.

According to the data collated by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), among 10 Filipinas aged
between 15 and 19 years old, one has gotten pregnant; 8% have become mothers and 2% are pregnant
with their first child.

From the Department of Health (DOH), the data they have gathered showed there have been over
30,000 AIDS /HIV cases recorded between 1984 and 2016.

It can be gleaned from these statistics that the factors that have contributed to these problems are the
apparent misguided notions the youth have about sex. It can be further inferred they lack parental
guidance when exposed to media not suited to their ages. This is especially true if pornography is
involved. Without proper guidance, their understanding of sex is they can get pleasure from it but are
unaware of the real consequence the process of procreation.

Girls are often the ones who pay for the consequences when they get pregnant. Their lack of maturity
makes them vulnerable when pressured by their boyfriends to have sex as a way to demonstrate their
love. But the moment they get pregnant, they are the ones who often run away from potential
responsibilities of being a parent. This is because they have not reached that stage where they can fully
grasp he meaning of love.

Given this alarming information, the government through the Department of Education feels it is Sex
Education must be included in the curriculum of schools, especially to Middle School and High School
students because they belong to the age group considered vulnerable. Emphasis will be placed on
educating the youth on how the reproductive system works.

Conservative groups oppose sex education, thinking it might encourage youths to engage in sex all the
more especially with this idea of distributing condoms to them. They believe proper upbringing at home
is the key. C: Mark Madrona (The Filipino Scribe)

Despite this move, this must be supplemented by proper upbringing at home. Parents need to supervise
children on the media they are exposed, especially pornographic materials. They must be prepared to
answer any query (tactfully) regarding sex if their children ask them. This is perhaps a better solution
than giving condoms to teenagers in school.

http://www.psst.ph/sex-education-philippines/

7.

Former Department of Education secretary Mona Valisno stated that that sex education

focuses on the science of reproduction, physical care and hygiene, correct values and

norms of interpersonal relation to avoid premarital sex and teenage pregnancy. The

education secretary also said that sex education is being integrated in different subjects

in the basic education curriculum of the Philippines (Malipot, 2010).

In addition, the teaching of sex education in the Philippines is under the National

Population Education program of DECS in 1994, which is designed to integrate

population education courses of the curricula of public schools. The DECS order No. 62

series of 1994 stated that

 The Population Education Program shall continue to perform its
functions of curriculum and instructional materials development,
teacher training, research/monitoring/evaluation, and networking with
local and international organizations on the population education
concerns for the elementary, secondary, tertiary and non-formal
education levels.

In this order it is evident that population education programs are already offered

since 1994, and with the rising number of unwanted pregnancies, persons infected with

sexually transmitted disease, and misconceptions and superstitions about matters on

sex, the Department of Education would want to continue implementing it through

integration on different subjects.

Moreover, according to the Statement on Population Policy and Program of the

Commission on Population as cited by Andres (1974), one of the policies of the

population program is to make family planning part of a broad education program

oriented toward the harmonious development of the individual personality, the family,

and the nation.

In accordance with the Declaration on Population, family planning is not to be

considered as simply as a technique for avoiding pregnancies, but rather as one
element in a rational and disciplined way of life, a means of realizing genuinely
human values for the individual and the community. Efforts must be made to
form proper and mature attitudes toward family life through a responsible
program of sex education in the schools, and through the provision of marriage
and family counseling services for adults (p. 143).
 Different groups have also views on sex education. According to Balane (2008),

coalition of churches and faith-based organizations in the Philippines has given their

support to the House Bill 5043 also known as Reproductive Health Bill, which seeks to

address high population through the promotion of the reproductive health, responsible

parenthood, and population development. Contrary to the Catholic churchs position

that the RH Bill is pro-abortion, the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the

Philippines (CMACP), United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Office of the

Muslim Affairs (OMA), Apostolic Catholic Church, and the Philippine Council of

Evangelical Churches said that it seeks to provide mothers the right to have safer

pregnancies by giving them access to information and services.