Quezon City gives away free condoms for Valentine's Day

[DailyCore]

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Despite a Catholic archbishop's calls, health officials will be giving away condoms on Valentine's Day, at least in Quezon City.

Health workers will focus their efforts on bars, massage parlors and similar entertainment establishments, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported Monday.

The report quoted city health office head Dr. Antonieta Inumerable as saying this aims to prevent the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially among men who have *** with other men.

Contracting HIV may lead to the deadly Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

According to the dzBB report, the health office plans to distribute the condoms in areas like the Quezon City Memorial Circle, Quirino Highway, Quezon Avenue and Cubao.

The report also quoted the city health office as saying it recorded at least 236 HIV cases in 2011.

Earlier, former Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president and Jaro (Iloilo) Archbishop Angel Lagdameo was quoted urging health officials not to distribute condoms during Valentine's Day.

"The use of contraceptives affects the morality of our people and our society in general,” Lagdameo said Friday on the Catholic station Radio Veritas, adding that Filipinos instead should practice “abstinence, fidelity to one’s spouse and obedience to God’s will.”

In February 2010, then Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral was criticized by Catholic bishops for distributing condoms on Valentine's Day. Cabral did so as part of the government's anti-AIDS campaign.

Flowers, stuffed toys, candy early bestsellers

Meanwhile, as in past years, flowers, stuffed toys and Valentine-themed sweets were early favorites among Filipinos as they geared to mark Valentine’s Day on Tuesday.

Stall owners at the Dangwa flower market in Manila featured non-flower items such as stuffed teddy bears and rose-shaped candy, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported.

Flowers remained a popular item, even if their prices went up since last weekend, the report said.

Long-stemmed roses cost P200 per dozen - or P20 per piece - while tulips imported from Holland cost P150 per piece. Roses from Ecuador cost P250 each, the report said.

Even the stargazer, yellow wind and Casablanca for the budget-conscious sold at P160 per arrangement, up from the normal P120.

Those who do not prefer flowers can also buy rose-shaped pastillas (candy) at P35 each.

Lovers can also buy small stuffed teddy bears at P75 each, the report said.

‘Valentine fires’

With many lovers expected to flock to motels to spend Valentine’s Day, the Bureau of Fire Protection is inspecting such establishments on the eve of the occasion to make sure guests will not be trapped in case of a fire.

BFP Metro Manila head Chief Superintendent Santiago Laguna said he has ordered his men to remain on alert for possible fires for the occasion, radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported.

Laguna said their inspections will focus on whether the motels have the proper firefighting equipment such as extinguishers.

They will also check for fire exits and evacuation plans, he said.

As this developed, motels began sprucing up for the yearly love day.

In Pasig City, dzBB’s Glen Juego reported motels offered promotions ranging from Valentine-themed cakes to special “quickie” three-hour rates.

The report said some motels offered three-hour rates of as low as P209, while others offered free heart-shaped cakes or breakfasts to guests.

Many motels in Pasig City sported heart-shaped entrances, the report added.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story...alentine-s-day

[lhorenzoo]

this is a good inititative sa City health dept. i hope the cathloic church will just let it be.. pwede man sa misa sila mag hatag og

advice sa ila flock..let the local govt. do its part..

[ironmack08]

okay raman guro ni. As long as ang ilang hatagan kay mga minyo and not underage. Let us not make valentines day a reason to just have *** with anybody. Make love with the right person, ayaw patakag kuan.

[frozentime]

This is good news to us all! ky ingon sa uban "The Best Things in Life Are Free"!!

[kiybordwaryur]

okay raman guro ni. As long as ang ilang hatagan kay mga minyo and not underage. Let us not make valentines day a reason to just have *** with anybody. Make love with the right person, ayaw patakag kuan.

dugay naman cguro ni ginabuhat sa mga health centers..
nothing is new...
wrong move to publicize it..

promoting safe s3x is good!
but promoting s3x in public is bad!

[lhorenzoo]

wa man siguro ni promote s_x in public boss. hatag ni sila for promoting safe s.. but im sure ang mga adults ra gitagaan ani specially kato nagwork sa mga bar..

[DailyCore]

If only more other cities would do the same as QC.

[ming_li]

this is a good inititative sa City health dept. i hope the cathloic church will just let it be.. pwede man sa misa sila mag hatag og

advice sa ila flock..let the local govt. do its part..

mao jud bro... hehehe y i-publicize man jud? trabaho man unta ni sa HEALTH CENTERS d ba? hmmm.....

[cassiopeia]

yay safe ***. aron dli na ma SAFE-YAT. )

[kit_cebu]

regardless of church pressure/government initiative, s3x will ALWAYS be there....even inside churches....even with the same gender....dang it offenders!!!