Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 25) — The Quezon City government on Saturday launched its Right to Care Card program that will enable LGBTQIA+ couples to make health-related decisions on behalf of each other.
In the eyes of the law, queer couples are not recognized as next-of-kin during medical emergencies. This makes them powerless in making important medical decisions for their partners.#LoveLabanSaQC #PridePHFestival2023 #RightToCareCard pic.twitter.com/eHWfL3GOyj
— The Right to Care Card (@RightToCareCard) June 23, 2023
“The Right to Care Card is a Special Power of Attorney card that authorizes queer partners to make medical decisions for the one they love, as though you held the power of a civil marriage contract,” the program’s Twitter page wrote.
“Dati kasi pinagbabawal ‘yan eh, kailangan next of kin [That used to be forbidden, it needs to be next of kin]. Now through this care card, this will be allowed,” Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier said during a digital show.
Belmonte said the “Right to Care” card program will also allow LGBTQIA+ couples to include their partner as their beneficiary in their life insurance policy under their special contract.
“Ito ay pinag-aralan namin, we had a battery of lawyers that go through this kung puwedeng gawin ito, at sabi ng mga abogado puwedeng puwede through a special power of attorney,” she said.
[Translation: We studied this, we had a battery of lawyers that go through this to check if it can be done, and the lawyers said it can be done through a special power of attorney.]
Pormal na nating inilunsad ang Right To Care Card dito sa Quezon City!
Through the Special Power of Attorney o SPA, you now have the right to provide care during hospitalization; and the right to medical decision-making. pic.twitter.com/sdS9AHqPKG
— Quezon City Government (@QCGov) June 24, 2023
In a statement, the local government said the program is set for initial implementation at the Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital.
It will then conduct orientations and seal partnerships with other public and private hospitals in Quezon City.
Local officials are still finalizing the guidelines and an ordinance for the program. Once these are approved, interested queer couples may visit the city’s Gender and Development Office to apply for a card. They will be asked to fill out an application form and sign the special power of attorney. Couples are also required to attend seminars, the local government said.
The Right to Care Card program was conceived by MullenLowe TREYNA, a creative communications agency. The initiative was formally launched during the city’s Pride celebration on Saturday.
