Mass Distribution Of Condom To High School Students In The Philippines

Does distributing condoms to senior high school students help lower teen pregnancy rates? Adolescents nowadays are vigorous and are very experimental especially to things they thought are “cool”, they are also full of reckless tendencies, some teenagers, especially high school students, sometimes does not show proper concern about the possible bad results of their actions and they will just “go with the flow”. The word condom comes from the Latin word “condos” meaning receptacle; a container that holds, contains, or receives a liquid or solid. Using condoms during sexual intercourse of two people is very important and practical. As stated by the Department of Education (DepEd) last year, December 16, 2016, they might allow the Department of Health (DOH) to continue with their plan to distribute condoms to students the following year but only “with extreme consideration” to the senior high school students.

One of my reactions to the statement of the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Ubial that condom distribution in schools will be accompanied by sex education plus, together with the Department of Education, will teach the 'ABC' framework: 'Abstinence, Being faithful, and Condom use' is pleased and relaxed. Abstaining and delaying sexual debut is the first lesson but if they cannot do that they must be faithful only to one person, for good measure using condom is relevant as it prevents a woman from becoming pregnant and or to prevent the spread of diseases like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, most commonly known as HIV.

I think that Education Secretary Briones’ idea of not distributing condoms to senior high school students to study the guidelines is reasonable. The primary goal of UNESCO guidelines on reproductive health, is to review and strengthen the basic education curriculum in enhancing gender sensitivity and reproductive health education. For this reason, I am contented.

I also think that Education Secretary Briones’ opinion of not approving to hand out condoms to students is because the DOH is the one who is responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services by all Filipinos and the regulation of all health services and products, while the DepEd is the one responsible for teaching the students about the consequences of pre-marital sex, and the dangers involved, but not the distribution of condoms as it is the DOH’s responsibility as it involves the health of the students. That is why I think that Education Secretary Briones’ proclamation is very satisfying and delightful, because Briones took consideration towards the well-being of the students.

In conclusion, I am very satisfied with the considerations of the DOH and DepEd towards the health of the students in senior high schools in the Philipinnes. I also strongly recommend to read Briones’ statement in Rappler to anyone who thinks that distributing condoms is inappropriate.