LEGAZPI CITY — A plan by the Albay provincial government to distribute condoms to Grades 11 and 12 students in public and private schools ran into a wall of criticism from the Church and the Department of Education. According to Antonio Ludovice, acting Albay health officer, the plan involved giving condoms to students as part of a health campaign designed in response to reports that cases of HIV, AIDS and teenage pregnancies were on the rise in the Bicol region, especially in Albay. 33% increaseData from the Department of Health showed that 71 cases of HIV was reported in the province in 2017. The diocese would also issue a pastoral letter to all churches in Albay expressing opposition to the plan. Ludovice, when asked for comment on criticisms of the plan, said provincial health officials would coordinate with the Church and the DepEd.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 24, 2019 21:11 UTC