Mothers hold their newly born babies at the Fabella government maternity hospital in Manila August 5, 2012. The United Nations on Sunday called on Philippine leaders to pass the reproductive health bill, two days before the House of Representatives is scheduled to take a crucial vote on whether to end debates on the measure. It argued that the RH bill is not about population numbers as it is about ensuring a life of health and dignity. The UN statement also said, Family Health Survey (FHS), which was conducted from August to September 2011 with a recall period of six years for the data, estimated that for every 100,000 live births, there are 221 women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. This was a 36 percent increase from the 2006 Family Planning Survey data, which showed 162 estimated deaths per 100,000 live births. The FHS also estimated that, across all regions in the Philippines, the number of girls 15 to 19 years old who have delivered live births was 54 per 1,000 live births from 39 in 2006. For the 20 to 24 age group, the increase was to 159 per 1,000 live births from 149 in the 2006 survey. Picture taken August 5, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Nuns react as they observe lawmakers tackle whether or not to terminate the debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill during a session in the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his mother's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH RELIGION SOCIETY) 

Congresswoman and former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo reacts, as politicians tackle whether or not to terminate the debates on the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill, a bill which Arroyo opposes, during a session in the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his mother's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church.
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH RELIGION SOCIETY) 

A doctor gives a pre-natal scan to a pregnant woman during a medical mission by an NGO in Iligan City, southern Philippines January 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on August 6, 2012 successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. Picture taken January 6, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A woman listens during a private family planning lecture in Iligan City, southern Philippines January 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on August 6, 2012 successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. Picture taken January 6, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Pregnant women queue for health services during a medical mission by an NGO in Iligan City, southern Philippines January 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on August 6, 2012 successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. Picture taken January 6, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH SOCIETY) 

Pregnant women pray before the start of a medical mission by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Negros Oriental, central Philippines January 19, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on August 6, 2012 successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. Picture taken January 19, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Pregnant women look at standard days method birth control beads during a family planning session at Fabella government maternity hospital in Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Housewives receive birth control pills from a community health worker from the Likhaan non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Tondo, Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Supporters of the reproductive health bill shout slogans during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his mother's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic church. Aquino's mother, Corazon, the icon of democracy in the Philippines, was put in power in 1986 via a popular revolt strongly supported by the Church.The Philippines, with a rapidly growing population of around 95 million, is the only predominantly Catholic country in the region apart from East Timor. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: CIVIL UNREST HEALTH POLITICS) 

Supporters of the reproductive health bill shout slogans during a rally outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Metro Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his mother's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic church. Aquino's mother, Corazon, the icon of democracy in the Philippines, was put in power in 1986 via a popular revolt strongly supported by the Church.The Philippines, with a rapidly growing population of around 95 million, is the only predominantly Catholic country in the region apart from East Timor. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: CIVIL UNREST HEALTH POLITICS) 

Housewives attend a family planning session in Tondo, Manila August 6, 2012. Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Monday successfully threw his weight behind a health bill promoting state-funded contraception, stepping out of his late mother Corazon's shadow as he pushes reforms widely opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. The bill, as it stands, requires governments down to the village level to provide free or low-cost reproductive health services. The law will not promote abortion, which is illegal. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Premature babies lie on their cribs at the Fabella government maternity hospital in Manila August 5, 2012. The United Nations on Sunday called on Philippine leaders to pass the reproductive health bill, two days before the House of Representatives is scheduled to take a crucial vote on whether to end debates on the measure. It argued that the RH bill is not about population numbers as it is about ensuring a life of health and dignity. The UN statement also said, Family Health Survey (FHS), which was conducted from August to September 2011 with a recall period of six years for the data, estimated that for every 100,000 live births, there are 221 women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. This was a 36 percent increase from the 2006 Family Planning Survey data, which showed 162 estimated deaths per 100,000 live births. The FHS also estimated that, across all regions in the Philippines, the number of girls 15 to 19 years old who have delivered live births was 54 per 1,000 live births from 39 in 2006. For the 20 to 24 age group, the increase was to 159 per 1,000 live births from 149 in the 2006 survey. Picture taken August 5, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Mothers breastfeed their newly born babies at the Fabella government maternity hospital in Manila August 5, 2012.The United Nations on Sunday called on Philippine leaders to pass the reproductive health bill, two days before the House of Representatives is scheduled to take a crucial vote on whether to end debates on the measure. It argued that the RH bill is not about population numbers as it is about ensuring a life of health and dignity. The UN statement also said, Family Health Survey (FHS), which was conducted from August to September 2011 with a recall period of six years for the data, estimated that for every 100,000 live births, there are 221 women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. This was a 36 percent increase from the 2006 Family Planning Survey data, which showed 162 estimated deaths per 100,000 live births. The FHS also estimated that, across all regions in the Philippines, the number of girls 15 to 19 years old who have delivered live births was 54 per 1,000 live births from 39 in 2006. For the 20 to 24 age group, the increase was to 159 per 1,000 live births from 149 in the 2006 survey. Picture taken August 5, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

A mother talks to her newly born baby at the Fabella government maternity hospital in Manila August 5, 2012. The United Nations on Sunday called on Philippine leaders to pass the reproductive health bill, two days before the House of Representatives is scheduled to take a crucial vote on whether to end debates on the measure. It argued that the RH bill is not about population numbers as it is about ensuring a life of health and dignity. The UN statement also said, Family Health Survey (FHS), which was conducted from August to September 2011 with a recall period of six years for the data, estimated that for every 100,000 live births, there are 221 women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth. This was a 36 percent increase from the 2006 Family Planning Survey data, which showed 162 estimated deaths per 100,000 live births. The FHS also estimated that, across all regions in the Philippines, the number of girls 15 to 19 years old who have delivered live births was 54 per 1,000 live births from 39 in 2006. For the 20 to 24 age group, the increase was to 159 per 1,000 live births from 149 in the 2006 survey. Picture taken August 5, 2012. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH) 

Mothers with their newly-born babies wait for a check-up inside a ward at Jose Fabella memorial hospital in Manila August 3, 2012. Manila's Roman Catholic bishops will be holding a protest on Saturday against the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which is still being debated in the lower house of Congress. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY HEALTH RELIGION) 

A nurse carries a newly-born baby inside a nursery ward of Jose Fabella memorial hospital in Manila August 3, 2012. Manila's Roman Catholic bishops will be holding a protest on Saturday against the approval of the Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) which is still being debated in the lower house of Congress. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY HEALTH RELIGION) 

Participants take part in a family planning session in the residential district of Baseco, Manila July 11, 2012. More than 1000 of participants including couples, youths and the needy were provided advice on various family planning methods and were given free contraceptives as part of a fair that celebrated the United Nations' World Population Day, according to the Likhaan non-governmental organisation. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A doctor inserts a contraceptive implant into an housewife's arm as part of Family Planning services in Manila's poor residential district of Baseco July 11, 2012. The Family Planning Fair, which is a part of the United Nations' celebration of World Population day in Manila, offered more than 1000 community members free contraceptives, tubal ligation, vasectomy and implants, a statement from "Likhaan", a non-governmental organization said. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: HEALTH SOCIETY) 

A father carries his newly born baby inside the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila April 9, 2012. The country's population has reached 92,337,852 as of 2010, according to the data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The population in 2010 had increased by 15.83 million since 2000. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Newly born babies lie on a bed inside the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila April 9, 2012. The country's population has reached 92,337,852 as of 2010, according to the data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The population in 2010 had increased by 15.83 million since 2000. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Mothers carry their newly born twins inside the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila April 9, 2012. The country's population has reached 92,337,852 as of 2010, according to the data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The population in 2010 had increased by 15.83 million since 2000. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) staff gives a cake to the family of newborn baby girl named Danica Camacho, the Philippines' symbolic "seven billionth baby" who is part of the United Nations' seven billion global population projection, in Fabella Maternity hospital in Manila October 31, 2011. The world's population will reach seven billion on 31 October 2011, according to projections by the United Nations, which says this global milestone presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the planet. While more people are living longer and healthier lives, says the U.N., gaps between rich and poor are widening and more people than ever are vulnerable to food insecurity and water shortages. At right is Danica's father Florante. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY POVERTY HEALTH TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A baby lies on the scale of a weighing machine inside the maternity ward of the government run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila June 1, 2011. The ward, the busiest in the country, sees an average of 60 births a day. The Philippines' population growth rate of around 2.0 percent is above Southeast Asia's average of around 1.7 percent, with an estimated 200 babies born every hour. Lack of a national policy on birth control and access to modern family planning methods -- frowned upon by the powerful Catholic church -- are some of the factors that have led to the country's population ballooning to nearly 100 million, according to various government and private sector estimates, with the Philippines the second most populous nation in the region after Indonesia. Picture taken on June 1, 2011. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Women are pictured near their newborn babies inside the maternity ward of the government run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila June 1, 2011. The ward, the busiest in the country, sees an average of 60 births a day. The Philippines' population growth rate of around 2.0 percent is above Southeast Asia's average of around 1.7 percent, with an estimated 200 babies born every hour. Lack of a national policy on birth control and access to modern family planning methods -- frowned upon by the powerful Catholic church -- are some of the factors that have led to the country's population ballooning to nearly 100 million, according to various government and private sector estimates, with the Philippines the second most populous nation in the region after Indonesia. Picture taken on June 1, 2011. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Women breastfeed their newborn babies inside the maternity ward of the government run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila June 1, 2011. The ward, the busiest in the country, sees an average of 60 births a day. The Philippines' population growth rate of around 2.0 percent is above Southeast Asia's average of around 1.7 percent, with an estimated 200 babies born every hour. Lack of a national policy on birth control and access to modern family planning methods -- frowned upon by the powerful Catholic church -- are some of the factors that have led to the country's population ballooning to nearly 100 million, according to various government and private sector estimates, with the Philippines the second most populous nation in the region after Indonesia. Picture taken on June 1, 2011. REUTERS/ Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Women share beds as they rest inside the maternity ward of the government run Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila June 1, 2011. The ward, the busiest in the country, sees an average of 60 births a day. The Philippines' population growth rate of around 2.0 percent is above Southeast Asia's average of around 1.7 percent, with an estimated 200 babies born every hour. Lack of a national policy on birth control and access to modern family planning methods -- frowned upon by the powerful Catholic church -- are some of the factors that have led to the country's population ballooning to nearly 100 million, according to various government and private sector estimates, with the Philippines the second most populous nation in the region after Indonesia. Picture taken on June 1, 2011. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY HEALTH) 

Filipino mothers breastfeed their babies as they take part in an event aimed at promoting breastfeeding at the San Andres Sports complex in Manila May 4, 2006. More than 3,500 mothers gathered in the sports complex on Thursday as part of efforts to smash the Guinness world record for the most number of women simultaneously breastfeeding their babies. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco 

Couples kiss during a mass wedding ceremony as part of a Valentine's Day celebration in Paranaque, Metro Manila February 14, 2012. About 300 couples took part in this event organized by the local government. REUTERS/Erik De Castro (PHILIPPINES - Tags: SOCIETY)