Group alarmed over 'inappropriate concepts' in Comprehensive Sexuality Education Program

A family rights group expressed opposition to the proposed implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Program, as some of its provisions have inappropriate concepts and threaten “moral, societal, and spiritual values.”

“We are not opposed to education on health and well-being, but we urge that such education be conducted in a manner that respects the values of Filipino families and protects the integrity of the Christian and Islamic faiths,” said the National Coalition for the Family and the Constitution (NCFC).

NCFC expressed concern over the program’s discussion of concepts like "gender fluidity" and "sexual diversity," contraception, abortion, and non-traditional relationships as it supposedly contradict traditional Christian and Islamic morality on family life.

“These teachings risk undermining the innocence of our children and the values we hold dear as a community. It also strips away parental rights, where parents are left helpless without any right to refuse this for their children,” the group said in another statement.

NCFC also raised alarm over the program’s emphasis on sexual rights, which could be “interpreted as encouraging early sexual activity."

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill

Under the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, CSE will be “a compulsory part of education, integrated at all levels with the end goal of normalizing discussions about adolescent sexuality and reproductive health and to remove stigma at all levels.”

The bill is pending on second reading in the Senate as of March 2023, while its counterpart in the House of Representatives was passed on the third reading in September 2023.

NCFC, meanwhile, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) and lawmakers to ensure parents and guardians have primary rights to guide their children’s sex education, and that the curriculum is transparent to parental consent.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara vowed that DepEd will not accept inappropriate concepts to be taught in schools.

“Getting a lot of messages about CSE/comp. Sexuality education-relating to a video going viral now. Rest assured we will not accept inappropriate concepts being taught in our schools. We will abide by what the law states. Misgivings about any bills are best shared with our legislators,” Angara said in X.

--Mariel Celine Serquiña/ VAL, GMA Integrated News