Atienza

Atienza: Focus on teaching traditional Filipino values

January 19, 2025 Ryan Ponce Pacpaco 99 views

FORMER Deputy Speaker and BUHAY Party-list Representative Lito Atienza took exception to the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on the bill that would teach comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

“Mr. President, instead of the passage of a bill mandating the teaching of comprehensive sexuality education to our children, shouldn’t we focus more on teaching and reinforcing traditional Filipino values? Why should we allow the teaching of western culture and mores on our innocent children? This is very, very destructive to the character of our young Filipinos. Let’s bring back sports and culture into our basic education so that our children would grow up with a well-rounded education and perspective on life, instead of being glued to the internet,” Atienza said.

Atienza was reacting to the President’s statement that the teaching of comprehensive sexuality education is “very, very important” in raising awareness and addressing teen pregnancies.

“While we acknowledge the data showing the increase in the number of teenage pregnancies, this Senate Bill 1979 is NOT the solution. It will just create more problems. The rise in teen pregnancies is not due to the lack of knowledge about sexuality, but rather the over-exposure and easy access of our children and youth to adult content and materials on the internet and social media. We as Filipinos have always adhered to values such as protecting life, and the sanctity of marriage, our families and our children,” Atienza added.

Atienza has consistently fought against anti-life measures such as divorce, same-sex marriage and the death penalty during his 3-terms as BUHAY Party-list Representative in Congress. BUHAY Party-list has joined the call of parents, as well as religious and civic organizations against the passage of this bill.

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