Marcos creates special committee on LGBTQIA+ affairs
At A Glance
- Among its functions are ensuring that policies, plans, and programs that promote the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ Community are incorporated into the DIP.
President Marcos has ordered the creation of a special committee on the affairs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Community, a move that aims to reinforce diversity and inclusion in the country.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed the five-page Executive Order (EO) No. 51 on Dec. 22.
In his EO, Marcos cited the need to reinforce the Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP) and reconstitute its Inter-Agency Committee "to ensure the country's continuous compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
The President also stated that the creation of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ aims to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination against community members and provide them an avenue to participate in the government's policy formulation.
The EO reconstitutes the Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion as the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which will be led by the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Secretaries of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will co-chair the Committee. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary will serve as Vice Chair.
Serving as members of the said Committee are the following:
- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary
- Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary
- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary
- Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson
- Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs Chairperson
The Committee may create, convene, and reorganize subcommittees and working groups to assist in carrying out its functions.
The Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs, on the other hand, is created under the Inter-Agency Committee. It will be led by a chairperson with the rank of an undersecretary, with three members with the rank of assistant secretary. The President shall appoint these members.
Among its functions are ensuring that policies, plans, and programs that promote the well-being of the LGBTQIA+ Community are incorporated into the DIP.
It shall also coordinate with concerned government agencies to ensure the availability of sufficient and reliable data on the status, challenges, and opportunities of the community.