LA TRINIDAD, Benguet Councilor Roderick Awingan proposed an ordinance that penalizes discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

The proposed measure, titled “Anti-LGBT Discrimination,” forbids acts such as subjecting employees to workplace harassment or any threat of physical and verbal violence, as well as intimidation or other threatening disruptive behavior committed by employer or by employees.

Awingan said it aims to end maltreatment to the LGBT community and seek equality in the municipality.

In April, a university in Baguio City was called out after reprimanding a transgender woman for peeing in the ladies’ restroom. The National Youth Commission slammed the incident.

In Awingan's proposed measure, penalty for violators is P1,000 for the first offense; P1,500, second offense; and P2,500 and a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months for the third offense.

It also seeks to declare as unlawful for any employer and educational institution to discriminate any person or group of persons based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression in public or private establishments.

The ordinance, if approved, will consider unlawful acts of harassment, unjust detention and involuntary confinement, and organizing groups and activities that promote and incite discrimination against the LGBT community.

A public consultation, which aims to gather stakeholders who will help craft the proposed law, is set on October 17 at the Lednicky Hall in La Trinidad.