Marcos creates special committee focusing on LGBTQIA+ affairs
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has issued an Executive Order (EO) that creates a special committee focused on aiding the Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community against discrimination.
According to the five-page measure signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Executive Order No. 51 reconstitutes the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion to reinforce its programs.
This is to "ensure country’s continuous compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
"The creation of a Special Committee on LGBQIA+ Affairs under the Inter-Agency Committee aims to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination being experienced by the members of the LGBTQIA+ community," the order read.
It will also help provide them with "an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government despite the absence of an established body specifically dedicated to promote their rights and address their concerns."
Its other functions include coordinating with concerned government agencies to gather reliable data on the challenges and opportunities of the community, developing a mechanism for dialogue between the government and the community to ensure proper planning on projects, and taking the lead in carrying out the programs for the community.
The special committee will be overseen by the Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary and will be co-chaired by the secretaries of the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Labor and Employment.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary will serve as vice chair, while the secretaries of the Department of Education, Department of Justice, the Department of Health, and the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education will be its members.
The committee will also have its own chairperson serving as a member, who will be appointed by Marcos from reputable organizations representing the LGBTQIA+ community.
The committee will issue guidelines for the effective implementation of the order within 60 days from when it was signed on Dec. 22.