Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10354)
Republic Act No. 10354 is officially known as the "Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012."
The State recognizes and guarantees human rights including equality, nondiscrimination, sustainable human development, the right to health (including reproductive health), education, information, and the freedom to make decisions according to religious convictions, ethics, cultural beliefs, and responsible parenthood.
The State must protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution and protect the life of the mother and the unborn from conception.
Key principles include the right to free and informed decisions without coercion, respect for reproductive health rights, ethical provision of medically safe and non-abortifacient services, promoting gender equality, priority for poor and marginalized sectors, and no demographic targets, among others.
An abortifacient is any drug or device that induces abortion or the destruction of a fetus in the womb or prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum as determined by the FDA.
Minors are not allowed access to modern family planning methods without written consent from their parents or guardian except when the minor is already a parent or has had a miscarriage.
Violations can be penalized by imprisonment ranging from one month to six months or a fine of PHP 10,000 to PHP 100,000, or both. Public officers involved may face suspension, removal, or forfeiture of benefits. Pharmaceutical companies can have their licenses revoked and face triple fines.
They must provide a full range of modern family planning methods, medical consultations, supplies, and necessary procedures for poor and marginalized couples including infertility services.
The DOH is the lead agency for implementation, responsible for efficiently executing reproductive health programs, ensuring access to safe and legal reproductive health services, coordinating with LGUs, training barangay health workers, and monitoring compliance.