Cebu gives LGBTQ+ right to make healthcare decisions for partners

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro signed on Monday June 1, an executive order that would allow LGBTQ+ community members in the province to represent and perform support functions for their partners during health-related emergencies.

“Every Cebuano deserves respect. Every Cebuano deserves dignity, and every Cebuano deserves to feel that they belong,” Baricuatro said about the order.

Executive Order No. 29-2026 or the Right to Care Executive Order of the Province of Cebu, which takes reference from Quezon City’s right to care program, would give couples, regardless of legal marital status, the power to voluntarily nominate their partners to perform caregiving, accompaniment, support and representation functions in health, emergency, and social welfare situations.

Usually, queer couples are unable to make medical decisions for their partners as existing Philippine laws only recognize the next-of-kin during medical emergencies.

The EO directs Cebu’s four provincial and 12 district hospitals to recognize the rights of health care proxies — individuals given the power to make health care decisions for a patient when the latter is unable to do so.

Through EO No. 29, the provincial government is mandated to institute a right to care registry and provide right to care cards for designated care partners who are entitled to inclusion in emergency contact and health care support systems.

Below are some of the rights and privileges given to designated care partners:

• Accompany and visit individuals in provincial hospitals and health facilities
• Receive updates and participate in discussions regarding patient care when expressly authorized
• Serve as emergency contacts
• Assist in processing social welfare interventions and emergency assistance
• Participate in disaster response and evacuation support activities
• Access counseling, psychosocial support, and related provincial programs

The order took effect upon signing on June 1 but stated that the Cebu Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Gender and Development Office, Provincial Health Office, and other concerned offices will be given 60 days from the effectivity date to issue implementing guidelines for the right to care program.

“Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed as creating marital, civil union, inheritance, or property rights not otherwise recognized under national law,” the EO clarified.

Leap forward for Cebu

Cebu Pride Movement (CPM) co-founder Ramon Matthew Basabe said on Tuesday, June 2, that the governor’s executive order is a “first big leap” towards better healthcare and legal protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in the province.

“There’s only one region in the Philippines that has an ordinance for right to care and that’s Cavite. We wanted to follow suit and make sure it’s tailor fit to the set up in the Cebu province and the rest of the cities in Cebu,” Basabe said.

Enrique San Juan, CPM co-founder, told Rappler that there will be some challenges in the initial stages of implementation of the executive order province-wide.

“First, public awareness has to come first and second, those who want to apply, regardless of their gender identity, need to validate their relationship,” San Juan said.

The EO indicated that the right to care program would include public education campaigns on inclusive caregiving and referral mechanisms for social protection and psychosocial services.

“No person shall be denied participation under this program on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, marital status or family arrangement,” the EO read.

Implementing guidelines are not out yet for Cebu’s right to care registration process but those who would like to avail the right to care cards can expect digitalized cards. – Rappler.com