Legislation providing government-funded contraception and sex education classes passed the Philippines House of Representatives on Monday, a first in the heavily Catholic nation, state-run media reported.

After a final Senate vote expected Monday, lawmakers hope to fast-track a conference committee agreement reconciling differences between the bill and one in the Senate before lawmakers leave for Christmas break, the official Philippines News Agency reported.

President Benigno Aquino, who has called the legislation an urgent need, is expected to sign the bill.

Despite widespread popular support, the Catholic Church has opposed the measure, saying it will destroy marriage and morality in the Philippines.

More than 80 percent of the Philippines’ 96 million residents are Catholic.

Gabriel Reyes, bishop of the diocese of Antiopolo and chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life, said the passage of the bill marked “a sad day for the country.”

Sen. Edgardo Angara, who voted for the measure, called the bill “an affirmation of human rights,” according to CNN affiliate ABS-CBN.

“We have to consider that not all Filipinos are Catholics. We have Muslims, Protestants, Buddhists, nonbelievers,” he said, according to ABS-CBN.