Mandaluyong City approves Right to Care ordinance for LGBTQIA+ and common-law couples
Mandaluyong City has passed the Right to Care card and health proxy ordinance.
According to Councilor Charisse Abalos-Vargas, co-author of Ordinance No. 1026, s. 2026, Mandaluyong residents may now designate someone outside their immediate family to make decisions on their behalf.
"Ibig sabihin, maaari na tayong mamili kung sino ang nais nating magdesisyon para sa atin sa panahon ng medical emergencies maliban sa ating immediate family members, kung sakaling wala tayong kakayahan na magpasya para sa ating kalagayan," Abalos-Vargas wrote.
The right to care beneficiaries include LGBTQIA+ couples and common-law partners, provided there are no legal impediments to their partnership.
The ordinance noted that this only covers medical situations and does not extend to property, inheritance, and post-mortem matters.
"Hangad natin na sa pamamagitan ng ordinansang ito, mas maging inclusive hindi lamang ang ating mga pagamutan kundi ang bawat komunidad at ang buo nating lungsod," she ended her post.
Apart from Mandaluyong, Dasmariñas, Quezon City, San Juan City, Iloilo City, and Parañaque City have also adopted the Right to Care policy.
The system is of particular importance to queer couples. Since the Philippines has yet to legally recognize same-sex unions, many LGBTQ+ partners often face difficulties during medical emergencies, especially when it comes to hospital visitation rights and making healthcare decisions for their loved ones.
A bill aiming to institutionalize the Right to Care system in the country has now been filed in the House of Representatives.
Introduced by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, the measure adopts provisions from Quezon City's Right to Care Ordinance, and proposals filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Reps. Perci Cendaña, Chel Diokno, Dadah Kiram Ismula, Kaka Bag-ao, and Javier Miguel Benitez.
