MEDIA RELEASE 
(November 30, 2010)

FROM: Dr. Ana Maria L. Tabunda

Chief Research Fellow
Pulse Asia, Inc.

RE: Pulse Asia’s October 2010 Nationwide Survey on

the Reproductive Health Bill

Pulse Asia is pleased to share with you some findings on the Reproductive
Health Bill from the October 2010 Ulat ng Bayan national survey. We request you to
assist us in informing the public by disseminating this information.

The survey fieldwork was conducted from October 20 to 29, 2010 using face-to-
face interviews. Among the major developments prior to and during the conduct of the
interviews for this survey were: (1) the mixed assessment of the first 100 days in office of
President Benigno S. Aquino III; (2) the release of Malacañang’s review of the Incident
Investigation and Review Committee’s (IIRC) report on the August 2010 Luneta hostage-
taking incident as well as the mixed reactions that the review drew, including the
disappointment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region over the President’s
decision to spare top officials involved in the incident from criminal prosecution; (3)
allegations concerning the involvement in jueteng of some government officials; (4) the
clash between the Catholic Church and the President on the issue of reproductive health,
as well as between the Supreme Court and the President on the latter’s move to rescind
all midnight appointments made by his predecessor; (5) the proclamation issued by Pres.
Aquino granting amnesty to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and over 300 other military
officers and personnel involved in several mutinies, which requires the concurrence of
both chambers of Congress to take effect; (6) the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) elections; (7) the approval on second reading of the 2011 national budget by the
House of Representatives; (8) the on-going trials on the Maguindanao massacre and the
NBN-ZTE deal; (9) the Supreme Court’s dismissal of a plagiarism case against one of its
associate members and its issuance of a show cause order asking 37 members of the
University of The Philippines College of Law faculty to explain why they should not be
sanctioned for asking for the resignation of the associate member involved; (10) the
typhoon that hit northern Philippines; and (11) the increase in oil prices, reduction in
electricity rates and the appreciation of the local currency relative to the US dollar.

As in our previous surveys, this nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200

representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 3% error margin at the 95%
confidence level. Subnational estimates for each of the geographic areas covered in the
survey (i.e., Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) have a ± 6% error
margin, also at 95% confidence level. Those interested in further technical details
concerning the survey's questionnaire and sampling design may request Pulse Asia in
writing for fuller details, including copies of the pre-tested questions actually used.

Pulse Asia’s pool of academic fellows takes full responsibility for the design and
conduct of the survey, as well as for analyses it makes based on the survey data. In
keeping with our academic nature, no religious, political, economic, or partisan group
influenced any of these processes. Pulse Asia undertakes Ulat ng Bayan surveys on its
own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort.

For any clarification or questions, kindly contact Prof. Ronald D. Holmes, Pulse
Asia President at +81906446597 or Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda, Pulse Asia Chief Research
Fellow at 09189436816.

2
 Pulse Asia’s October 2010 Ulat ng Bayan Survey:
Media Release on the Reproductive Health Bill
30 November 2010

High level of awareness of the Reproductive Health Bill (80%) and majority support
for the bill (69%) may be observed among Filipinos

Eight in ten Filipinos (80%) report knowing about the bill on reproductive health
currently pending in Congress. Sizeable to huge majorities across geographic areas are
aware of the bill, with figures ranging from 66% in the Visayas to 90% in Metro Manila.
In the different socio-economic classes, majorities have heard, read or watched
something about the bill (72% to 93%), with a higher level of awareness being recorded
in the best-off Class ABC than in the poorer Class E. Two in ten Filipinos (20%) only
learned about the bill while being interviewed for the survey. (See Table 1A)

A considerable majority of Filipinos (69%) expresses agreement with the bill on

reproductive health. Likewise, support for the bill is the majority sentiment in all
geographic areas (66% to 74%) and socio-economic groupings (66% to 78%). Less than
one in ten Filipinos (7%) has a contrary opinion on the matter while about a quarter of the
Filipino population (24%) cannot say if they agree or disagree with the bill. Levels of
disagreement and indecision across geographic areas and socio-economic classes are
generally consistent with the national figure. (See Table 1A)

Disagreement with the bill may be attributed in part to the proposal to include
“Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education” in the school curricula

The small minority who disagree with the bill on reproductive health were asked
their opinion regarding specific provisions of the bill. Majorities in this group agree with
the following provisions: (1) recognizing the rights of women and couples to choose the
family planning method that they want on the basis of their needs and personal and
religious beliefs (79%); (2) promoting information about and access to natural and
modern family planning methods (70%); and (3) stipulating the use of government funds
to support modern family planning methods (55%). However, 44% disagree with the
proposal to include “Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education” in the school
curricula, while 39% are in agreement. (See Tables 1B and 1C)

More particularly, at least half of those in the rest of Luzon (50%) and Mindanao (55%)
are not in favor of including this subject in the school curricula. The plurality sentiment
in Class E is also one of disagreement (47%). Public opinion in Classes ABC and D is
split with 41% to 43% expressing agreement and 42% to 43% supporting the proposal. In
the meantime, one in two Metro Manilans and Visayans (50%) favor the teaching of this
subject in the schools. Public indecision on this matter is most pronounced in the Visayas
(32%). (See Tables 1B and 1C)

3
 Table 1A
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL
October 20 - 29, 2010 / Philippines
(In Percent)
page 1 of 3

Base: Total Interviews, 100%

INTRO: A bill on reproductive health is currently being discussed at the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to promote
information and access to natural and modern family planning methods as well as to recognize the rights of women
and couples to choose the family planning method that they want based on their needs and personal and religious
beliefs. However, critics argue against the bill’s promotion of the use of artificial contraceptives, inclusion of
Reproductive Health and Sexuality education in the school curricula, and the use of government funds to support
modern family planning methods, among others.

LOCATION CLASS
Aside from now, have you heard, read or watched BAL
anything about this bill or not? RP NCR LUZ VIS MIN ABC D E

Yes, before this 80 90 82 66 80 93 82 72

None, only now 20 10 18 34 20 7 18 28

Do you agree or disagree with this bill?

AGREE 69 74 67 66 72 78 66 72
Strongly agree 22 21 15 24 37 28 21 23
Agree 47 52 52 42 35 51 45 49
UNDECIDED 24 18 29 27 15 14 27 22
DISAGREE 7 8 4 7 13 8 7 6
Disagree 6 7 3 6 12 7 7 6
Strongly disagree 0.5 1 0 0 1 1 1 0

ISANG PANUKALANG BATAS UKOL SA KALUSUGANG PANGREPRODUKSYON ANG KASALUKUYANG TINATALAKAY NGAYON SA MABABANG KAPULUNGAN NG KONGRESO.
ANG PANUKALANG BATAS NA ITO AY NAGLALAYONG IPALAGANAP/IKALAT ANG IMPORMASYON AT PAGBIGAY NG NATURAL AT MODERNONG PAMAMARAAN NG
PAGPAPLANO NG PAMILYA AT PAGKILALA SA KARAPATAN NG MGA KABABAIHAN AT MAG-ASAWA NA PUMILI NG PARAAN NG PAGPAPLANO NG PAMILYA NA
KANILANG GUSTO AYON SA KANILANG KAILANGAN AT PERSONAL AT RELIHIYOSONG PANINIWALA. SUBALIT, ANG MGA KRITIKO NAMAN AY SUMASALUNGAT SA
PAGPAPALAGANAP/PAGKALAT NG PAGGAMIT NG “ARTIFICIAL CONTRACEPTIVES”, PAGSAMA NG “REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION”
SA PAARALAN AT ANG PAGGAMIT NG PONDO NG PAMAHALAAN PARA SUPORTAHAN ANG MGA MAKABAGONG PARAAN NG PAGPLANO NG PAMILYA, AT IBA PA.
Q135. May narinig, nabasa o napanood na ba kayo bukod sa ngayon tungkol sa panukalang batas o bill na ito o wala?
Q136. Kayo po ba ay sumasang-ayon o hindi sumasang-ayon sa panukalang batas o bill na ito?
 Table 1B
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL
October 20 - 29, 2010 / Philippines
(In Percent)
page 2 of 3

Base: Those who disagree with the Reproductive Health Bill, 7%

LOCATION CLASS
COVERAGE OF THE BAL
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL RP NCR LUZ VIS MIN ABC D E

Recognize the rights of women and couples to choose the

family planning method that they want based on their
needs and personal and religious beliefs
AGREE 79 79 73 90 79 79 80 78
Strongly agree 28 17 39 34 24 7 31 30
Agree 51 63 34 56 54 72 49 49
UNDECIDED 18 21 27 5 18 21 16 22
DISAGREE 2 0 0 5 3 0 4 0
Disagree 2 0 0 3 3 0 3 0
Strongly disagree 0.5 0 0 3 0 0 1 0
Promote information and access to natural and
modern family planning methods
AGREE 70 79 60 65 75 93 69 65
Strongly agree 20 4 27 5 28 7 25 12
Agree 51 75 33 60 48 86 44 54
UNDECIDED 18 4 28 15 18 7 16 26
DISAGREE 12 17 11 20 7 0 15 9
Disagree 11 17 11 17 5 0 13 9
Strongly disagree 1 0 0 3 2 0 2 0

Q137. Sa pamamagitan po ng board na ito (SHOW RATING BOARD), maaari bang pakisabi ninyo kung kayo ay LUBOS NA SUMASANG-AYON, SUMASANG-AYON,
MAAARING SUMASANG-AYON AT MAAARING HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, HINDI SUMASANG-AYON o LUBOS NA HINDI SUMASANG-AYON sa mga nakasaad
sa panukalang batas ukol sa kalusugang pangreproduksyon o Reproductive Health Bill?
a. PAGPAPALAGANAP NG IMPORMASYON AT NG PAGKAKAROON NG NATURAL AT MODERNONG PAMAMARAAN NG PAGPAPLANO NG PAMILYA.
b. PAGKILALA SA KARAPATAN NG MGA KABABAIHAN AT MAG-ASAWA NA PUMILI NG PARAAN NG PAGPAPLANO NG PAMILYA NA KANILANG GUSTO
AYON SA KANILANG KAILANGAN AT PERSONAL AT RELIHIYOSONG PANINIWALA
Notes: (1) % Agree = % Strongly Agree plus % Agree; % Disagree = % Disagree plus % Strongly Disagree.
(2) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off or to Don't Know and Refuse responses.
 Table 1C
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL
October 20 - 29, 2010 / Philippines
(In Percent)
page 3 of 3

Base: Those who disagree with the Reproductive Health Bill, 7%

LOCATION CLASS
COVERAGE OF THE BAL
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL RP NCR LUZ VIS MIN ABC D E

The use of government funds to support modern

family planning methods
AGREE 55 58 33 87 52 47 52 65
Strongly agree 11 4 0 5 23 7 14 7
Agree 44 54 33 82 30 40 38 58
UNDECIDED 17 17 17 3 24 31 15 18
DISAGREE 27 25 50 10 24 22 33 17
Disagree 23 21 44 5 21 15 28 16
Strongly disagree 4 4 6 5 3 7 5 2
Inclusion of “Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education”
in the school curricula
AGREE 39 50 39 50 29 41 43 30
Strongly agree 7 4 0 5 12 7 10 0
Agree 32 46 39 45 18 35 33 30
UNDECIDED 17 13 11 32 16 15 15 23
DISAGREE 44 38 50 17 55 43 42 47
Disagree 34 38 44 12 36 43 32 34
Strongly disagree 10 0 6 5 19 0 10 13

Q137. Sa pamamagitan po ng board na ito (SHOW RATING BOARD), maaari bang pakisabi ninyo kung kayo ay LUBOS NA SUMASANG-AYON, SUMASANG-AYON,
MAAARING SUMASANG-AYON AT MAAARING HINDI SUMASANG-AYON, HINDI SUMASANG-AYON o LUBOS NA HINDI SUMASANG-AYON sa mga nakasaad
sa panukalang batas ukol sa kalusugang pangreproduksyon o Reproductive Health Bill?
c. PAGSALI NG “REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION” SA ITINUTURO NG PAARALAN
d. PAGGAMIT NG PONDO NG PAMAHALAAN PARA SUPORTAHAN ANG MGA MAKABAGONG PARAAN NG PAGPLANO NG PAMILYA
Notes: (1) % Agree = % Strongly Agree plus % Agree; % Disagree = % Disagree plus % Strongly Disagree.
(2) Figures may not add up to 100% due to rounding off or to Don't Know and Refuse responses.