Mandaue City signs IRR for anti-discrimination ordinance

CEBU, Philippines — A historic step has been taken by Mandaue City to ensure equal rights and accessibility for individuals of diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) as City Mayor Jonas Cortes signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance (ADO) yesterday, July 10, 2024.

The IRR outlines comprehensive guidelines in enforcing the ordinance, highlighting the city’s commitment to concrete action and championing inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ communities.

Cortes said that the signing is not just about laws and policies, but a shared commitment to respect, equality, and love for the members of the community.

He said that this legislation is a milestone that shows the city’s dedication to creating a place where everyone can live without fear of discrimination.

With this, Cortes said they aim to have all residents and visitors of Mandaue City feel valued and treated fairly as the LGBTQIA+ community’s courage and stories have been the driving force of the ordinance.

“Without your voices, we would not be here today. The IRR provides the detailed guidelines on how we will implement and enforce this ordinance, ensuring that our commitment to equality is not just words but real actionable steps. Kini makahatag og pamaagi para sa tanan nga maangkon ang hustisya ug proteksyon,” Cortes said.

Under the provisions of the ordinance and the IRR, it protects members of the community against discrimination from freedom of association and organized affiliation, expression and assembly, and from access to health and related-services.

It also includes protection against discrimination in accommodation, in access to legal documents, and in the delivery and availment of goods and services.

This also covers verbal and non-verbal ridicule and vilification; disallowance of entry and refusal to serve, especially in public places; and discrimination in education.

Outgoing treasurer and Mandaue Trans Community Icon lawyer Regal Oliva stated that these provisions are helpful in addressing discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ as she mentioned that there are students who cannot enroll because of having long hair, and workers who cannot apply for jobs because their gender on birth certificates and how they present themselves is different.

“Daghan og access or aspects nga gi address dinhi. Let us always remember nga daghan natong kaigsuonan sa LGBT kay naay stigma so these are forms of discrimination that we must address and these kinds of discrimination must not happen,” Oliva said.

She said that the biggest penalty under this ordinance is a cash fine of P5,000.

She stressed that even when she leaves the city and will soon be assigned in Navotas City, she will still continue championing LGBT rights.

“I will continue until my last breath to see the day that we don’t have to celebrate pride anymore. I would dream for a day that we don’t talk about pride anymore because we are all equal. We don’t have to have ordinances like this to protect us because everybody is instilled upon them the equality,” she stated.

Meanwhile, executive director of Cebu United Rainbow LGBT Sectors, Inc., Magdalena Robinson, stated that the importance of the IRR signing is that it sets executive guidance, unpacks and sets parameters or limitations on how to enforce and implement.

Robinson added that the signing show how the Mayor is committed to implementing the rules and regulations of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.

“I think Mandaue is the first city na naay experience kung unsaon pag craft ug develop and adopt an IRR, usa gyud nato na call nato sa national level. We hope nga ang mga existing ADO in the Philippines kay ma implementar and they need IRE,” Robinson stated.

LGBT community-based organizations of 27 barangays in Mandaue, under the leadership of the KAABAG LGBT Federation, held a rally and a parade to celebrate and show support for the signing of the IRR. – Donna Rose Egos,CNU Intern/ATO