In time for the conclusion of Pride Month last June, the provincial board of Laguna has institutionalized the so-called “Right to Care” Act for members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the province.
During its regular session last June 29, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed on third and final reading the “Right to Care Ordinance in the Province of Laguna.”
This ordinance, authored by 1st District Board Member Bernadeth Olivares, aims to address the issue of gender-based discrimination, especially in the healthcare sector.
The “Right to Care” policy enables members of the LGBTQIA+ community to designate their partners as their health proxies, particularly in emergency or critical medical situations.
“Ito po ay isang polisiyang nagsusulong ng inclusive governance at kumikilala sa karapatan ng bawat Lagunense na italaga ang kaniyang pinagkakatiwalaang partner o mahal sa buhay na magdesisyon sa panahon ng mahahalagang pagpapasyang medikal para sa kaniya sa oras ng health emergency, kung wala na siyang kakayahang magpasya at wala o hindi agad maabot ang kaniyang immediate family,” Olivares explained in a social media post.
Under current laws, designated health care proxies who are legally entitled to make decisions in case of serious health issues are limited to immediate family members and legal spouses.
Olivares expressed her thanks to fellow members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, especially Board Member Jam Agarao who co-authored the ordinance, as well as civic organizations in Laguna province, for their support for the ordinance.
“Lubos din ang ating pasasalamat kay Governor Sol Aragones sa kanyang suporta sa panukalang ito at pagtalaga ng mga resource persons mula sa iba't ibang tanggapan ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan at sa mga kinatawan ng iba't ibang sektor. Sila ay nagbahagi ng kanilang knowledge at insights, nagbigay ng paglilinaw sa mga probisyon, at mahahalagang mungkahi during the committee hearing, na naging daan upang higit pang mapahusay at mapagtibay ang nilalaman ng ating ordinansa,” the board member added.
The passage of the provincial-wide “Right to Care” ordinance came mere weeks after the city government of Biñan passed its own legislation earlier this month.
Biñan City is the first local government in Laguna province to enshrine “Right to Care” for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, a policy that has gained traction in the Philippines since the Quezon City local government first institutionalized the program in 2023.
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