Anti-discrimination ordinance: Brgy leaders tapped to inform, implement

CEBU, Philippines — In an effort to make Cebu City free from all forms of discrimination, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has tapped local leaders in the city's 80 barangays for the full implementation of the anti-discrimination ordinance of the city.

In separate letters, Osmeña asked for the cooperation of barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons, officers of homeowners, and urban poor groups for a community-based information dissemination.

"We are proud to say that we were the first local government in the entire country that adapts a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy for the minority sectors," the mayor said in the letter.

Osmeña said there is a need for the leaders to raise awareness in the communities about City Ordinance No. 2339 otherwise known as "An Ordinance Prohibiting Discrimination in the City of Cebu on the Basis of Disability, Age, Health Status, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Ethnicity, and Religion."

The ordinance was approved in 2016 but the city's Cebu City Anti-Discrimination Commission just recently released its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Under the ordinance, everyone is prohibited from discriminating against any person and/or group of persons on the basis of their disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and religion.

Any person caught violating the provisions of the ordinance will be asked to pay a fine between P1,000 to P5,000 or spend one to 30 days in jail.

"Promoting and upholding their rights will not only enhance their rights will not only enhance their freedom, welfare, and dignity as humans, but will also promote social justice as a whole and will contribute in the creation of a human rights culture in the country," the approved ordinance read.

The mayor said the city government needs the cooperation of the local leaders to encourage the public to report discrimination cases and to be proactive in preventing discrimination from happening.

"In view of the foregoing, I am endorsing the conduct of a barangay-based education on the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance through the Cebu City Anti-Discrimination Commission in cooperation with AKBAYAN partylist since the latter has been instrumental in the passage of this legislative measure at the local level," he said.

Former city councilor Alvin Dizon, principal author of the ordinance, said he was happy with the support his ordinance is getting.

He added that seeking cooperation from the local leaders will allow the full-swing implementation of the ordinance and will soon allow the city to be discrimination-free. —/BRP (FREEMAN)