PEDESTRIANS and motorist were greeted with a colorful pedestrian crossing yesterday morning in Barangay Lapu-lapu, Agdao District, Davao City after members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer) community were allowed to paint the pedestrian in pride colors.

This seeks to drumbeat their call to end stigma and stop discrimination of members of the LGBTQ community.

In a Facebook post of Philippine Commission on the Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner Norman B. Baloro, it showed various individuals repainting the pedestrian crossing into rainbow color. The post read that Barangay Lapu-Lapu passed a Resolution Establishing LGBT Pride Pedestrian Lane in some streets of Barangay Lapu-lapu, Agdao District, Davao City through SK Barangay Resolution No. 04, s. 2019.

This is in response to the prevailing discrimination being faced by the members of the LGBTQ in the barangay. Last June, Pride month was celebrated across the world.

“According to SK Chairperson Paolo Rodriguez, it is one way addressing the emerging issues that being faced by persons in diverse SOGIE nowadays. Being discriminated and stigmatized due to their gender preferences,” Baloro said.

During the State of the City Address (Soca) of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in 2017, she stated that, “The City Government promotes inclusiveness and we shall see to it that our LGBT community is always represented in our events and in the implementation of our programs. We shall also continually address their concerns and direct our efforts to giving them equal opportunities and eliminating discrimination.”

“The project will be a manifestation of support to a whole of society approach that there shall be no one left behind and supporting to the Administration of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte in her SOCA,” Baloro added.

It can be recalled that Quezon City and Cebu City have launched this project last year.

“At the global context, Sustainable Development Goal No. 10, Reduce Inequalities that these widening disparities require sound policies to empower lower-income earners, and promote economic inclusion of all regardless of sex, race or ethnicity,” Baloro added.

This development is in line with the Commission Resolution No. 04, s. 2018 being the Committee Chairperson of Kabahaghari National Organizing Committee.