US Catholics oppose DepEd's sex ed plan
SAN FRANCISCO – Many devout Filipino Catholics in the US agree with the Catholic bishops’ opposition to the teaching of sex education in schools in the Philippines.
Robert Raquipiso said his 13-year-old daughter in the Philippines is too young to learn about sex.
“We’re Filipino. Our customs and tradition say we don’t teach sex education in schools,” said Raquipiso.
Josie Baarde is also opposed to the teaching of sex education in schools back home. Baarde said parents are responsible for teaching children about sex even if they work abroad.
“Ang mga anak natin, na-ga-guide natin sila. Napapangaralan natin sila,” she said.
The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd), with the United Nations Population Fund, says the burden of teaching sex education to children lies on them.
They plan to implement the program in 160 elementary and high schools in the Philippines. They said this would help prevent teenage pregnancies and the rise of sexually-transmitted diseases.
MC Canlas, an outreach coordinator for public health in San Francisco, agrees. “Para kapag lumabas sila sa mundo alam nila kung ano ang kanilang nakikita. Hindi sila namamangha sa mga hindi nila nade-decode na mga pangyayari,” said Canlas.
The DepEd plans to consult with Catholic bishops before implementing the program in schools.
Fr. Ed Dura of St. Patrick’s Church insists children should be taught values on love and family, not the biological aspect of sex.
“Both the government and the church should sit down on how to do this better, rather than debating and politicizing about it. You cannot legislate values,” Fr. Dura said.
The DepEd said psychologists helped prepare the modules to make sure they are appropriate for year levels.
Proponents of sex education in the Philippines say HIV is on the rise among young Filipinos and that many of the nation’s poor do not have access to proper sex education.
They said this is about teaching the children, the future generation, how to make responsible decisions in life, for the betterment of the entire nation. Balitang America
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Sino ang magtuturo????
Comment lang kay Robert Raquipiso; sino ngayon ang magtuturo sa anak mong 13 years old dito sa philippines kung andyan ka sa US? Hello? Ang hirap sa karamihang pinoy sa states akala mo napaka-dunong at puro satsat.
By the way, kababalik ko lang mula sa states after 24 years of working as an engineering executive....siguro oras na, para kahit papaano, makatulong sa ating inang bayan.