The Quezon City (QC) government is set to launch the country’s first “care card” that would authorize LGBTQ+ couples to make medical decisions for their partners.
QC Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday announced the local government will launch the “Right to Care Card” for residents on Saturday, June 24 in time for the annual Pride Festival, which culminates activities for the celebration of Pride Month.
“Dito sa care card na ito, ang isang LGBT couple na matagal nang nagmamahalan, through a Special Power of Attorney, will be able to have authority over the healthcare decisions na dapat gawin o kailangang gawin para sa isang partner,” Belmonte said in a digital show.
(Under this care card, LGBTQ+ couples may authorize their partners to make healthcare decisions for their partner under a Special Power of Attorney.)
“Dati kasi ipinagbabawal ‘yan eh, kailangan next of kin. Eh hindi naman ‘yun ‘yung closest sa kaniyang puso. Ang kaniyang partner ang closest sa kaniyang puso pero dahil they are an LGBT couple, ipinagbabawal ‘yang karapatan na ‘yan sa kanila,” the mayor added.
(That was prohibited before because it should be their next of kin.)
Belmonte said the local government has yet to clarify the guidelines for the policy, adding they still need to conduct orientations about it.
“Of course kailangan ng orientation, kailangan pa talagang klaruhin ang guidelines to make sure we’re addressing the needs brought to us. Pero I think this is a first in the whole country,” she added.
(Of course, we still need to hold orientations and clarify the guidelines to make sure we’re addressing the needs brought to us. But I think this is a first in the whole country.)—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News
