Congress blamed over increasing number of maternal deaths
Congress blamed over increasing number of maternal deaths Home Updated February 20, 2012 03:51 PM
MANILA, Philippines – A group of women advocates blamed Congress for the reported 50 maternal deaths in January in Metro Manila alone. According to Elizabeth Angsioco, National Chairperson of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), the Department of Health report is quite alarming and should wake up sleeping representatives in Congress. “These deaths are caused by inadequate reproductive health services needed in preventing and responding to such complications and therefore, saving mothers’ lives,” lamented Angsioco. She stressed that these services are contained in the RH bill that has been continuously delayed for more than 12 years by Philippine Congress. “It is frustrating that Congress is quick to act on political issues like impeachment but very slow when it comes to legislation that will address ordinary people’s needs, especially those of poor women,” said Angsioco. The group also blamed President Aquino, saying “Two years in office is more than enough for him to achieve this as shown by the other issues where he got what he wanted from Congress.”
