The Catholic Church in the Philippines says it will challenge the constitutionality of the new Reproductive Health Law in the Supreme Court.

The controversial law has finally been passed in the Philippines following 13 years of deliberations.

Under the new law, the Philippines Government will provide the public, particularly poor women, with more information and access to birth control methods.

It also grants the government responsibility of educating public school students on reproductive health and allows the distribution of birth control methods to minors.

The law is opposed by the powerful Catholic church, which says it could breed promiscuity and has urged people against voting in the May polls for legislators who approved the measure.

Catholic Archbishop Angel Lagdameo says questioning the law in court is a logical next step in what has been a highly divisive issue.

President Benigno Aquino's spokesman has called for unity, urging critics to move on from the animosity that has pitted the government against the church.

Critics of the new law doubt the change will effectively control the Philippines's runaway population growth.