Just when you think Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines would back a school that bans love affairs, they surprise you.
The CBCP said they are against a non-sectarian school policy in Cagayan de Oro City that prohibits students from having a “love affair” with fellow students.
It may be recalled that ABS-CBN News reported earlier this month that the Golden Heritage Polytechnic College administrators were imposing a “no love affair” rule on their students.
The school erected a billboard warning female students that a “love affair” can “surely destroy” lives.
“Therefore this institution prohibit (sic) intimate relationship between a male & female students (sic).” The same warning is also printed on the teachers’ uniforms,” said the billboard.
GHPC president Capt. Tito Dichosa reportedly justified the love affair ban as a means to prevent unwanted pregnancies among students.
READ: School in Mindanao bans ‘love affair’ between male and female students
But the CBCP doesn’t really think such a harsh ban is needed.
In a GMA News Online report, Bishop Roberto Mallari, chairman of the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, was quoted as saying, “We are not in favor of this policy.”
Mallari suggested that the school set up a program for “values formation and responsible relationships” instead.
The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines also echoed the CBCP’s stand.
Anthony Coloma, CEAP advocacy and information management Officer, stated, “This is a critical context, wherein we build friendships and relationships that cut across time. These are important series of moments when we nurture loving and life-giving relationships. We should not deny these opportunities to them (the students).”
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