QC to pass 'landmark' ordinances this Pride month

MANILA – As it joins the LGBTQIA+ community in celebrating Pride month, the Quezon City local government aims to pass two landmark ordinances.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Thursday the move shows their commitment to ensuring equality and inclusivity does not end in June.

"Beyond celebrations, we continue to push for institutional change. We are currently awaiting the final approval of two landmark ordinances. Naka-second reading na ito and mag-third reading na po sa Lunes," she said during her speech at the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing for 'LOV3 LABAN SA DILIMAN: Pride PH Festival 2025.'

"Our support goes far beyond the month of June. Hindi tayo kakampi tuwing Pride month lamang. At lalong hindi tayo nakikiuso lamang. Our commitment is real and it is enduring. From the Gender Fair Ordinance of 2014 to pioneering gender-inclusive initiatives," Belmonte added.

The two ordinances are the revised version of the Gender Fair Ordinance passed in 2014 and the Gender Inclusive Healthcare Ordinance.

"These two ordinances will further strengthen our local policies to ensure dignity, equality and access for all regardless of gender identity expression. These are not just laws, they are our city’s heartfelt gift to the community," Belmonte said.

In 2014, the Quezon City Council passed the Gender Fair Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination against an individual's sexual orientation, gender, identity and expression (SOGIE). 

"We really made sure walang discrimination sa basic services like education, healthcare, housing and livelihood. This year we made sure to pass an amended version of this particular ordinance. Kasi noong 2014 eh LGBT palang, ngayon alam naman pala natin unlimited na ang spectrum. So we made provisions for this and we strengthened our Pride Council. This means better representation in our council," Belmonte said.

The QC mayor admitted the Gender Inclusive Healthcare Ordinance was quite controversial, as it seeks to ensure everyone will have inclusive rights towards healthcare in all health facilities in QC.

"Meron tayong very conservative members ng City Council na nakipag-debate tungkol sa tama ba na magkaroon tayo ng gender-inclusive healthcare. Pero pinaglaban naman natin ito. Yung mga kakampi natin sa konseho naniniwala lahat dapat may access sa healthcare," she explained.

Belmonte said the two ordinances are expected to be passed on third and final reading Monday next week before the end of Pride month.

LGUS STEPPING UP FOR SOGIE EQUALITY

When the 19th Congress adjourned last week, the SOGIE Equality Bill once again languished both in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

But with more LGUs passing related ordinances, Belmonte underscored the importance of the role local officials to lead the way in the fight for SOGIE equality in the country. 

"Napakahalaga na may mag-spearhead. Kung yung gagawa or mag-chachampion  ay hindi magmumula sa national government, pwede naman sa local government. Kasi we have autonomy naman to a certain extent," she said.

"Nung napasa natin sa lungsod Quezon ang batas na yan, maraming local governments ang sumunod. About 25 or so other local governments, kinuha po o hiniram ang batas and they localized them. Alam ko they passed their local versions," Belmonte added.

The QC Mayor said their Right to Care card which was launched in 2023, which allows queer couples to decide on medical concerns of their partners, was also adopted by another LGU.

Last week, the city of San Juan passed its own Right to Care card ordinance.

"Ang ibig sabihin dito local governments can champion equal rights, can champion inclusivity, can champion diversity. Even in our jurisdictions we can make a big difference," Belmonte said.

"We can make sure that our safes are space, we can make sure that we train our local law enforcers and police officers to respect the rights of diverse genders. We can make sure that within our own service providers in the city walang diskriminasyon at lahat nabibigyan ng pantay-pantay na serbisyo," she added.

Belmonte, who is active in the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) said the way forward for SOGIE equality is pushing at the local level.

"Kung sa national government hindi nila magawa ito dahil sa opposing interests at nahihirapan ang ating kampeon ng SOGIE Equality doon na isulong ang batas, sa lokal na pamahalaan lahat naman ng mga mayor na isulong ang pantay-pantay sa kanilang lugar ay pwede naming tulungan," she said.

"Tungkulin ng isang mayor na wala dapat naiiwan sa paglilingkod natin sa ating mamamayan. Dapat wala tayong mga biases, wala tayong diskriminasyon, basta't lahat are entitled to be served equally," Belmonte said.

The QC LGU, Pride PH Coalition and the University of the Philippines Diliman joined forces for 'LOV3 LABAN SA DILIMAN: Pride PH Festival 2025' happening on June 28.