What? Family planning to be practiced in Bangsamoro?

We can at least be sure that if the Bangsamoro region finally gets up and going—nobody knows when since the deliberations on the Bangsamoro Basic Law in both the Senate and House are still ongoing—the people in Muslim Mindanao will not be multiplying like rabbits.      

According to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), it fully supports the delivery of reproductive health services to women in Bangsamoro communities, especially in conflict areas. 

      

MILF chief Al Haj Murad  considers the partnership between the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to improve the delivery of reproductive health services— especially maternal and infant care – to residents in conflict areas as a "very good move because it will enlighten and will give the right information to our people regarding reproductive health.”

      

We're glad that the UNFPA will closely coordinate with Muslim religious leaders in Mindanao to provide a better contextualization of family planning in relation to Islam. “While reproductive health is very much welcome as far as MILF is concerned, there are biases against family planning among the Muslim population because of issues that are not fairly addressed,” Murad explained.

      

Under the campaign “Ligtas Buntis,” maternal care (pre- and post-pregnancy) and family planning services will be made available in 10 major MILF camps.

      

At the same time, health personnel will also be trained on basic emergency obstetric and newborn care.

      

UNFPA will develop an existing health center at Camp Darapanan to become a birthing center for women in nearby communities. This center will serve as a model for rolling out these services in other areas.

      

We most point out that Muslim  Mindanao is one of the poorest regions in the country, with no less than 47 percent of families living below the poverty line.  Armed conflict since the 1970s has exacerbated the poverty problem since socio-economic development programs could not be undertaken in conflict areas.

      

With self-governance for the Bangsamoro a distinct possibility—that is, if the law creating it gets past the legislative mill—and the MILF fully supportive of reproductive health programs, Muslim Mindanao can concentrate on socio-economic programs that will uplift the quality of life of everyone. It’s about time. –End-

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