MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Paranaque City makes a landmark step towards inclusivity, as City Councilor Atty. Jet Frias filed the first draft of the Right to Care Ordinance. This move marks the city as the latest local government unit to champion the rights of LGBTQIA+ community. Similar ordinances were pioneered in 2023 by Quezon City and followed by San Juan City in June of 2025. Cities of Makati, Pasig, Iloilo, and Baguio, as well as the province of Laguna, have also drafted similar ordinances for upcoming council readings.
Posted in his official Facebook page, Councilor Frias shares that the ordinance is the first to be filed by the Paranaque’s 10th City Council at the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Aside from LGBTQIA+ couples, this version of the ordinance also aims to benefit common law couples residing in the city.
“This ordinance is a testament to our city’s commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of all our constituents,” said Councilor Frias. “It is a vital step towards ensuring that every Paranaqueños, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can receive care from their partners, especially in critical health situations. This is just the beginning of our work for this new term, and we are dedicated to building a truly inclusive city.”
What is the Right to Care?
The Right to Care (RTC) Ordinance utilizes Health Care Proxy IDs that contain the appropriate contact details of the principal card holder, their designated proxy, and a Quick Response Code (QR Code) that directs to a digital copy of Special Power of Attorney (SPA). This document ensures that any resident of the city regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and their designated care partner has the authority to make medical decisions, access medical information, and provide support during hospitalization or medical procedures.
Currently, traditional legal frameworks only recognize next of kin or spouses to make decisions on behalf of the patient. By enacting the Right to Care Ordinance, LGUs can provide a legal safety net and affirm the rights of more individuals to care for their loved ones, ensuring they are not discriminated against or marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The filing of the ordinance also coincides with ongoing efforts at the national level to codify similar protections. Akbayan Partylist representative, Perci Cendaña, filed House Bill No. 11005, or the Right to Care Act last November 2024 and has continuously expressed optimism on efforts by local government units.
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