- - - -- - -- CEDAW/C/SR.l79 English Page 7 (Ms. Licuanan) 36. On question 4, she doubted whether there were any plans to revise the law on abortion, since there was a very strong lobby in her country against abortion. 37. Replying to question 5, she said that family planning facilities were available, but there were not enough of them. The policy was that all facilities receiving government funds must provide a full range of contraceptive methods. Article 13 38. In reply to question 1, she said that, since the need for the husband's permission had been abolished as a general rule under the revised Family Code, she presumed that his signature was no longer required for an agricultural loan, but she would investigate the matter further. 39. The reply to question 2 was affirmative; available for most of the groups mentioned. social security was already [\rticle 14 40. She was able to make only a very general comment in reply to questions 1 and 2. The rural population was in general at a disadvantage in education compared with the urban population, a fact which certainly affected rural women. 41. In reply to question 3, she could not supply figures, but under inheritance procedures there was no discrimination. All children, even illegitimate children, had equal rights of inheritance under the law. 42. Regarding question 5, rural women did benefit from the activities of the Rural Improvement Clubs, but it should be said that the Department of Agriculture's focus in the clubs was on peripheral activities rather than mainstream farming • . The point was that, traditionally, women were indeed in the mainstream of farming in her country. That fact should be recognized in planning and women should be trained in new agricultural techniques. Article 16 43. In reply to question 1, she said that male and female children had an equal right to inherit. 44. Specific data about adoption, in reply to question 2, would be provided. She did know that there were very strict rules about the adoption of Philippine children by foreigners, relating in particular to their place of residence. A certain period of residence in the Philippines was necessary. 45. In reply to question 3, she said that she was aware of cases in the past of husbands filing complaints about the assignment of their wives to overseas posts. However, they dated back to the period when it was the prerogative of the husband to make decisions for his wife, and the law had since changed. 46. By way of general comment concerning the legal apsects of the question, she said that there had been laudable innovations in her country, and the problem now faced was the de facto implementation of the law and the Government's ability to I . ..