Manila City Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said on Sunday, June 30, that the city government is planning to register all members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) in the city and allocate budget for services and benefits of the sector.
The city government directed the Manila Gender Sensitivity and Development Council to produce an official list of Manila's LGBTQIA+ members that is similar to city's databases for persons with disability (PWDs) and senior citizens.
The Lacuna-Pangan made this pronouncement as she called on the city’s 896 barangays to designate Gender And Development (GAD) Action Officers who will focus on women and LGBTQIA+ matters.
“Dito sa Maynila, walang iniiwan. Lahat kasama, lahat mahalaga (Here in Manila, no one is left behind. Everyone is included, everyone is important),” she said.
Once the registration is complete, the mayor said it will be easier for the city government to set aside a specific budget for services and benefits of the sector.
The registry is expected to include LGBTQIA+ residents who work, study and do business in Manila.
Lacuna-Pangan also said that barangay authorities should monitor the implementation of Ordinance No. 8695 or the city ordinance on LGBTQIA+ protection and anti-discrimination.
The importance being given by the Lacuna-Pangan administration to the members of the LGBTQIA+ community was also underscored during the month-long celebration of the city’s 453rd founding anniversary.
She recalled how “Rampa Manila” gave an avenue to queer members to showcase their talents in fashion design.
She also directed the concerned units and offices to examine ways to further improve its social welfare programs and respond to take care of the needs of LGBTQIA+ Manileños beyond the social hygiene clinics.
“We will work on a program that covers the LGBTQIA+ in GAD services with added focus on barangay GAD projects, gender sensitivity training and implementation of the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act 11313), Reproductive Health Act 10354 and Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (AOSAEC) Law (Republic Act 11930),” the mayor added.