Members of the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network rally near the Malacanang Palace in support of Philippine President Benigno Aquino's policy to Family Planning in Manila on October 1, 2010. Jay Directo, AFP

MANILA - The Department of Education on Monday thumbed down a proposal of Health officials to distribute condoms among senior high school students.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said she has informed Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial that DepEd cannot support distribution of contraceptives that aim to curb the rising number of cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) among the youth.

Briones said DepEd reached the decision after their legal team analyzed the Supreme Court ruling on the RH Law, and President Duterte's executive order on RH programs.

"We analyzed ano ang role namin sa program na ito... because these children are minors. Kailangan ng parental consent sa mga ganyang issue," she said.

"They (parents) can relax... there will be no condom distribution in schools," she added.

Briones made the same announcement at DepEd's 31st national seminar workshop on 2016 financial reports.

"The DepEd will not be involved in the distribution of condom," she declared, eliciting applause and cheers from the crowd.

BOOSTING SEX ED

To meet the DOH's request of enhancing the sexuality education program to combat HIV-AIDS and early pregnancy, the DepEd will create its own curriculum following the UNESCO standard, Briones said.

DepEd aims to complete the new curriculum ready in time for the next school year.

In the meantime, Briones said she will consider adopting the sexuality education program of Singapore, where parents are first asked if they want their children to take such subject.

Those who are interested are asked to sign an agreement and those who oppose are not forced to join the program.