PBBM CREATES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON LGBTQIA+ AFFAIRS

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order (EO) creating a special committee on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) affairs.

Executive Order 51 signed by the President on Friday stated that the creation of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ aims to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against the community and provide them an avenue to participate in policy formulation of the government.

The special committee will be under the reconstituted Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DIC) and will be led by a chairperson with a rank of an undersecretary and will have three members with the rank of assistant secretary.

The President will choose the chairperson and members of the special committee from reputable organizations representing the LGBTQIA+ community, according to the EO.

A representative from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Education (DepEd) with a rank not lower than assistant secretary or its equivalent, will also serve as members of the special committee in an ex officio capacity.

The DIC will be led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary and co-chaired by the secretaries of the DMW and the DOLE.

The secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will serve as vice chairperson.

“The creation of a Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ 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, and to provide them 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,” the EO read.

Based on EO 51, the special committee is tasked to ensure that policies, plans and programs that effectively promote equality, equity, non-discrimination, inclusion and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community in both the national and local government levels are incorporated in the reinforced Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP).

It is also directed to assist the Diversity and Inclusion Committee on all matters concerning the LGBTQIA+ members, including the conduct of review of existing issuances relative to or affecting the community.

“Upon the endorsement of the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, the special committee shall recommend to the Office of the President measures to further strengthen existing programs and initiatives geared toward addressing the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community,” the order said.

The special committee is mandated to coordinate with concerned government agencies to ensure availability of sufficient and reliable data on the status, challenges and opportunities of the LGBTQIA+ community for the purpose of evidence-based policy-making.

It is also designated to develop a consultative mechanism allowing continuing dialogue between the government and the LGBTQIA+ community; facilitate programs and campaign for the promotion and protection of LGBTQIA+ members’ rights; and take the lead in carrying out programs, activities and projects related to the community that are identified in the DIP.

According to the EO, the special panel should regularly convene at least once every quarter or as often as may be deemed necessary by its chairperson.

All concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the national government are directed, and all local government units are encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the DIP, and the programs, activities, and projects of the committee and special committee.