The launching of the Kalihukan sa Katawhan alang sa Kahimsog (KKK) or the People’s Movement for Health was held with the Purple Ribbon Campaign for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill last October 7.
The VPHCS is one of the convenors of the KKK. The other convenors and participating organizations in the whole-day activity included the following, namely: Catholics for Reproductive Health – Cebu, Consortium for Gender, Health and Development, Crusade against Violence (CAV), Gabriela – Cebu, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), Population Commission (POPCOM) Region 7, Association of Concerned Texters (ACT), Bisdak Pride, Inc., Carolinians for Reproductive Health, United Vendors Association (CCUVA), Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League (CUPWOL), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Panaghugpong sa Kabus sa Dakbayan sa Cebu (Federation of Urban Poor Organizations in Cebu), Philippine Federation of Married Catholic Priests, Pro Quality Life Training and Development, Sidlak Gender Resource Center – Region 7, SUMAKA, Inc., United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and the Women’s Resource Center of Cebu (WRCV).
The theme was “Reproductive Health towards Universal Access to Comprehensive Health Care for Filipinos.”
The activities included statements, a press conference, a multi-sectoral forum, a city-wide caravan, and a program in Fuente Osmena Park.
The Purple Ribbon campaign was held in partnership with the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), and the Forum for Family Planning and Development.
Former Secretary of Health Dr. Alberto Romualdez, C4RH national president Dr. Edelina Dela Paz, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emerenciana de Jesus spoke in the press conference on the necessity of the RH bill and universal access to health care.
A forum was held in the Center for Development Education and Training (CENDET) at 2: 00 p.m. attended by around 300 members of the participating organizations. Dr. Dela Paz talked on the theme, “The Reproductive Health Bill, a Step Forward towards Universal and Comprehensive Health Care.” Following her talk was Rep. de Jesus with her “Updates, Prospects of the RH Bill.”
Simultaneous with the forum was a motorcade of groups and individuals calling for the
passage of the RH bill that toured the major city streets and places including Osmena Boulevard, M.J. Cuenco Ave., Carbon Market, Tabo-an market, Mango Ave. and other major thoroughfares. Leaflets written in Cebuano containing the basics on the RH bill were distributed while speeches and announcements were also made as the motorcade toured around the city.
The participants of the forum and motorcade later converged in Fuente Osmena Park, where a program ensued with various speakers taking turns in calling for the passage of the RH bill and universal access to health care.
