Cebu town passes anti-descrimination ordinance

Local

JUST days before the end of Pride Month celebration, a town in northern Cebu passed a Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance (ADO) aimed at safeguarding individuals from discrimination based on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE).

The municipality of Carmen approved the ordinance in a unanimous vote during the 16th Sangguniang Bayan’s regular session on Thursday, June 26. The principal sponsor of the measure is Councilor Kyle Morales Pono.

In a statement sent to MyTV Cebu, Pono said the town recognizes that members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to face systemic barriers, social exclusion, and various forms of violence and discrimination in everyday life.

"This ordinance affirms that the local government has a duty to prevent discrimination and create enabling environments where all individuals, regardless of SOGIE, can live with dignity, security, and equal opportunity," he added.

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual.

Additionally, the plus (+) symbol represents other sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions not explicitly listed, such as pansexual, non-binary, and genderfluid. It is used to acknowledge and support the diversity of experiences within the broader LGBTQIA+ community

The ordinance prohibits discrimination in education, employment, public services, and accommodation.

It also mandates the establishment of LGBTQIA+ councils, gender-neutral facilities in barangays and schools, institutionalized awareness campaigns, and a system for monitoring discrimination cases.

Its passage follows the submission of a position paper by LGBTQIA+ rights advocate Ed Caitum from Carmen town.

The paper, prepared with local LGBTQIA+ organizations, community allies, and concerned citizens, emphasized the need for legislative protection at the local level due to the continued absence of a national SOGIE Equality Law.

Carmen is now the second municipality in the 5th District of Cebu, after Poro in Camotes, and the second in the entire province to enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance.

Meanwhile, a pageant for transgender women in Cebu’s Fifth District was held on June 25.

Pageant veteran Jeysyn Ramos of Carmen won the crown. She is the reigning Queen Philippines World crown holder, where she won the crown in 2024.

In a Facebook post, she also encouraged other local government units in the district to follow Carmen's recent passage of ADO.

"What a timely and unexpected event to be crowned as your Queen of Fifth District and championing the safety and protection of my fellow [LGBTQIA+] community in the Municipality of Carmen. Double Victory!" she said.

Mikee Bitoon of Compostela was named 1st Runner-Up, followed by Mariel Japitan of Danao City as 2nd Runner-Up.

Zellianah Marie Lopez, also from Compostela, placed 3rd Runner-Up, while Mickey Dagatan of Liloan completed the court as 4th Runner-Up.

On the national level, SOGIE Equality Bill remains stalled.

It was approved by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality in December 2022 but was subsequently returned to the Senate Committee on Rules by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva in February 2023, which has delayed its progression to the plenary.

In the House of Representatives, the consolidated version of the SOGIESC bill was approved by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality in May 2023.

The Commission on Human Rights has publicly urged lawmakers to act, citing the bill’s alignment with international human rights commitments.

Moreover, more than 200 civil society groups petitioned President Marcos Jr. in mid‑2024 to certify it as urgent, though it was not included in the official legislative agenda.(MyTVCebu)