Iloilo city: The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) has passed a landmark legislation in terms of providing inclusive health services to residents of Iloilo City. Authored by Councilor Jose Maria dela Llana, the city council, during its regular session on Wednesday, approved the Health Care Proxy Card (Right to Care) Ordinance, which recognizes health care proxies in all health care facilities in the city.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dela Llana, in an interview on Thursday, said the ordinance is for adults or 21 years old and above residents of the city living independently; those working alone without immediate family members; members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other gender-diverse communities (LGBTQIA+), including same-sex partnerships who wish to designate a partner, companion, caregiver, or trusted individual as a health care proxy in times they are incapacitated to make medical decisions.
They will be provided with a 'right to care card' that will serve as official proof of a duly appointed health care proxy by the principal or the adult living alone. Following its passage, the technical working group led by the Gender and Development office will be coming up with internal rules and regulations for the proper implementation of the ordinance.
Gab Umadhay, the concurrent head of the LGBTQ affairs office of Iloilo City, who will serve as technical personnel, said it took three years since its conceptualization before the ordinance was passed because they consulted hospitals for their input. 'It's already a practice of medical health care professionals. However, there is no law that will fast-track the process. There is where the gap was addressed, through the health care card,' Umadhay said.
He said they are looking to fully implement the ordinance next year because they still have to acquire the needed equipment for the cards and conduct an information caravan, especially among health care providers in Iloilo City. 'This is one of the biggest health care actions towards inclusive growth of Iloilo City. This is not just a win for the members of the LGBTQ + communities, but a win for every Ilonggo who has been thriving and continues to thrive in the landscape of Iloilo City,' Umadhay said.
Under the ordinance, failure to recognize the proxy card by healthcare providers and their agents or employees, upon exhaustion of available remedies, will be subject to a fine of PHP5,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
