<P> The RH bill provides for "prevention and treatment of HIV / AIDS and other, STIs / STDs", especially since the number of HIV cases among the young nearly tripled from 41 in 2007 to 110 in 2008 . Proponents emphasized that RH will help in stemming the AIDS epidemic that is worsening in the Philippines . Lagman explained that "Globally, the new number of reported cases of HIV infections and deaths has dropped by nearly 20 percent . It is therefore both ironic and tragic that the Philippines' trajectory is towards the other direction . Our country's HIV / AIDS statistics have increased by 30 percent!" Primary among the means is distribution of condoms . The proponents applauded government efforts last February 2010 when it distributed condoms in some areas of Manila . </P> <P> Proponents refer to many surveys conducted by two prominent locally based organizations (SWS and Pulse Asia) which show majority support for the bill . A survey conducted in 2008 by the Social Weather Stations, commissioned by the Forum for Family Planning and Development (FFPD), a non-government advocacy group, showed that 68 percent of Filipinos agree that there should be a law requiring government to distribute legal contraceptives . SWS President and RH Bill proponent, Mahar Mangahas reported that the "survey found 71 percent in favor (of the RH Bill), 21 percent undecided, and a mere 8 percent opposed . Among those who originally knew of the bill, the score is 84 percent in favor, and 6 percent opposed . Among those who learned of the bill for the first time because of the survey, the score is 59 percent in favor, versus 11 percent opposed . Pulse Asia reported that in an October 2008 survey "most Filipinos are aware of the reproductive health bill pending at the House of Representatives (68%) and are in favor of the bill (63%)". In December 2010, Pulse Asia announced based on the results of an October 2010 survey, 69% of the Filipinos are in favor of the bill . </P> <P> President of Prolife Philippines, Lito Atienza, said that the surveys conducted by SWS and Pulse Asia were misleading, because the participants were not fully informed of the bill, were merely aware of it, and informed that it was about health and "modern methods". Instead he referred to the Filipino Family survey of December 2009 conducted by the HB&A International (an affiliate of Louis Harris & Associates) together with the personnel of Asia Research Organization (the Philippine affiliate of Gallup International). The survey concluded that 92% of people in metropolitan Manila rejected the bill, "85 percent are not aware that once passed the RH bill would allow teenagers to secure' abortifacient devices and substances' without their parents' knowledge and consent...90 percent do not agree that Congress should appropriate P2 billion to the detriment of other essential medicines for free children's vaccinations, treatment of dreaded diseases and other more important health and medical concerns ." Mangahas acknowledged that the SWS surveys did not include the penalties . </P> <P> A TV Debate was also hosted by ABS - CBN last May 2011 . Leaders of both sides, including Rep. Lagman and Rep. Golez were present . According to the ABS - CBN news which reported on the results: "In the SMS poll, 69.58% of votes cast reject the RH bill while 30.42% support it". In the separate online poll held on the Harapan microsite that livestreamed the debate, majority voted against the bill at the very end of the debate . </P>

Benefits from responsible parenthood and reproductive health act