Councilor moves for LGBT city office

BAGUIO City Councilor Ed Avila has pushed for the establishment of a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) office funded and supported by the city.

Avila said the LGBT office, if approved, will be known as the city LGBT or CLGBTO composed of a head assisted by a staff, a majority of whom will be LGBT persons, and provided further they possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications for a government position.

Its head will be appointed by the city mayor for a fixed term of five years without reappointment from among a list of three nominees submitted by accredited and recognized LGBT organizations.

The CLGBTO will be in charge in implementing city’s, programs, projects and activities related to the LGBT community and will have the objective of providing a one-stop shop leadership and organizational structure providing direct and specific services in implementation of government policies, plans and programs for the LGBT development.

The CLGBT will also harness and develop the full potential of the LGBT so they may actively participate in national development efforts as well as foster cooperation and support among the LGBT, self-help organizations, government agencies, related private institutions and other people's organizations in all programs and projects relating to the LGBT.

“Currently, there is no national law that protects LGBT people against discrimination in the Philippines. The time is now right for the full implementation of said law and it is but appropriate to create an office to do so akin to the Office of the Senior Citizens, PWD’s, ABC and those similarly situated,” Avila said.

Avila said despite not having a national law for the protection of the LGBT community, aside from Baguio, cities such as Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Batangas, Butuan, Candon, Cebu, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Mandaue; Quezon City’s Barangay Bagbag, Barangay Greater Lagro and Barangay Pansol; Puerto Princesa, Vigan; Municipality of San Julian, Eastern Samar; Provinces of Agusan del Norte, Batangas, Cavite, Iloilo Dinagat Islands have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances including sexual orientation and/or gender identity and expression among its protected categories.

The city has previously passed the anti-discrimination ordinance which has been lauded by the LGBT community here.

The local law authored by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog prohibits discrimination and enforces equality and espouses equal protection of the law regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, Disability, and age.

In the national level, Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat is pushing for the passage of the long-pending Anti-Discrimination Bill giving credence to rights of the LGBT community.

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