800 queer couples in line, 423 healthcare providers: The birth and progress of Quezon City's 'Right To Care' card | ABS-CBN
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800 queer couples in line, 423 healthcare providers: The birth and progress of Quezon City's 'Right To Care' card
800 queer couples in line, 423 healthcare providers: The birth and progress of Quezon City's 'Right To Care' card
Josiah Eleazar Antonio,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 20, 2024 09:00 AM PHT
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Updated Jun 20, 2024 11:55 AM PHT
The Right To Care card. Graphics by Onil Lumague
The Right To Care card. Graphics by Onil LumagueMANILA — For MullenLowe TREYNA associate creative director Adrian de Guzman, the Right To Care (RTC) card seeks to answer a question that is a matter of great concern to the LGBTQIA+ community.
MANILA — For MullenLowe TREYNA associate creative director Adrian de Guzman, the Right To Care (RTC) card seeks to answer a question that is a matter of great concern to the LGBTQIA+ community.
How can a queer person have the right to make medical decisions for their partners?
How can a queer person have the right to make medical decisions for their partners?
"To quote Nadine Lustre, '2024 na.' So kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon — as mentioned kanina — every day may mga cases tayo of queer couples na nahihirapan. It's the same situation. It's the same denial ... Hindi sila kinikilala as partners, 'magkaibigan' lang sila," he told ABS-CBN News in an interview.
"To quote Nadine Lustre, '2024 na.' So kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon — as mentioned kanina — every day may mga cases tayo of queer couples na nahihirapan. It's the same situation. It's the same denial ... Hindi sila kinikilala as partners, 'magkaibigan' lang sila," he told ABS-CBN News in an interview.
Nearly three years in the making, the Right to Care card was launched by the Quezon City government in 2023, sparking conversations about the lack of access queer couples have to healthcare.
Nearly three years in the making, the Right to Care card was launched by the Quezon City government in 2023, sparking conversations about the lack of access queer couples have to healthcare.
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The RTC card uses the Special Power of Attorney to help queer couples decide on medical concerns. Dozens of queer couples have since registered for the card to take care of their loved ones — a testament to how healthcare is among the biggest concerns of the community.
The RTC card uses the Special Power of Attorney to help queer couples decide on medical concerns. Dozens of queer couples have since registered for the card to take care of their loved ones — a testament to how healthcare is among the biggest concerns of the community.
This article chronicles the birth of the RTC card and how it has progressed a year later, and its possible ripple effects across the country.
This article chronicles the birth of the RTC card and how it has progressed a year later, and its possible ripple effects across the country.
THREE YEARS IN THE MAKING
In 2020, de Guzman was trying to craft a product that would help the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines.
In 2020, de Guzman was trying to craft a product that would help the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines.
"As a member of the LGBTQ community, siguro matagal ko na siyang or matagal ko na siyang nahanapan ng purpose. So, my purpose as an advertising creative now is to use this platform to give back to the community," de Guzman said.
"As a member of the LGBTQ community, siguro matagal ko na siyang or matagal ko na siyang nahanapan ng purpose. So, my purpose as an advertising creative now is to use this platform to give back to the community," de Guzman said.
"So, it's always been my pledge na rin na every time — 'yung mga creative exercises or mga creative sessions, I would always use that opportunity to highlight or magnify a certain problem within the community and then propose or think of a creative solution to that problem."
"So, it's always been my pledge na rin na every time — 'yung mga creative exercises or mga creative sessions, I would always use that opportunity to highlight or magnify a certain problem within the community and then propose or think of a creative solution to that problem."
De Guzman wanted to focus on healthcare, and his "Aha!" moment came when he thought of using the Special Power of Attorney — a legal document authorizing a person to act on behalf of another — for the card.
De Guzman wanted to focus on healthcare, and his "Aha!" moment came when he thought of using the Special Power of Attorney — a legal document authorizing a person to act on behalf of another — for the card.
"Lucky din tayo kasi the first people na nakausap sa Quezon City were the Gender and Development Council, very welcoming sila in terms of the idea," he said.
"Lucky din tayo kasi the first people na nakausap sa Quezon City were the Gender and Development Council, very welcoming sila in terms of the idea," he said.
True to her principles to fight for the rights of the LGBT community, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte agreed to the project, said Atty. Carlo Austria, officer-in-charge of QC's legal department, saying among the city government's "bedrock principles [is] to ensure equality and equity among all genders, and to actively work for the elimination of all forms of discrimination."
True to her principles to fight for the rights of the LGBT community, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte agreed to the project, said Atty. Carlo Austria, officer-in-charge of QC's legal department, saying among the city government's "bedrock principles [is] to ensure equality and equity among all genders, and to actively work for the elimination of all forms of discrimination."
He added: "[O]ur City Mayor believes that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, plain and simple."
He added: "[O]ur City Mayor believes that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights, plain and simple."
Austria said queer families need to have the legal recognition to make medical decisions for partners since they are more acquainted with the patient's medical history and situation.
Austria said queer families need to have the legal recognition to make medical decisions for partners since they are more acquainted with the patient's medical history and situation.
"This is important as they otherwise would be powerless to make decisions for their partner in case of health emergencies," he said.
"This is important as they otherwise would be powerless to make decisions for their partner in case of health emergencies," he said.
Since its launch during QC's Pride March in June 2023, many members of the community have lined up with their partners to get the card.
Since its launch during QC's Pride March in June 2023, many members of the community have lined up with their partners to get the card.
QUEER COUPLES IN LINE
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community attend the “Lovelaban” evening concert at the Quezon Memorial Circle grounds during the Pride celebrations in Quezon City on June 24, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community attend the “Lovelaban” evening concert at the Quezon Memorial Circle grounds during the Pride celebrations in Quezon City on June 24, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileWith its promise to give access to healthcare, 800 couples have registered for the RTC card. The Quezon City government has also been advocating for recognition of healthcare proxies, with around 423 healthcare providers already committed to accepting the RTC cards.
With its promise to give access to healthcare, 800 couples have registered for the RTC card. The Quezon City government has also been advocating for recognition of healthcare proxies, with around 423 healthcare providers already committed to accepting the RTC cards.
For De Guzman, the numbers show how the LGBT community has been seeking better access to healthcare.
For De Guzman, the numbers show how the LGBT community has been seeking better access to healthcare.
"Simula nung ni-launch siya ni Mayor Joy nung Love Laban last year, nakaabang 'yung mga tao. Hindi na namin kailangan gumawa masyado ng effort kasi 'yun 'yung hinihingi natin. Hinihingi natin 'yung rights kumbaga fundamental rights, basic rights," he said.
"Simula nung ni-launch siya ni Mayor Joy nung Love Laban last year, nakaabang 'yung mga tao. Hindi na namin kailangan gumawa masyado ng effort kasi 'yun 'yung hinihingi natin. Hinihingi natin 'yung rights kumbaga fundamental rights, basic rights," he said.
As of writing, Austria said "there are already 170 couples who have attended the Right to Care Card orientations and executed the Health Care Proxy — the RTC orientations are scheduled every Saturday of the month. And 78 couples already received their RTC cards."
As of writing, Austria said "there are already 170 couples who have attended the Right to Care Card orientations and executed the Health Care Proxy — the RTC orientations are scheduled every Saturday of the month. And 78 couples already received their RTC cards."
Seeing its progress after just a year, de Guzman says the RTC card program shows how gender-inclusive policies can be implemented — while also sparking conversations about the struggles of the queer community.
Seeing its progress after just a year, de Guzman says the RTC card program shows how gender-inclusive policies can be implemented — while also sparking conversations about the struggles of the queer community.
"In the long run, sobrang worth it niya kasi tingnan mo ngayon, not to downplay or anything pero ito 'yung isa sa mga progress na gusto natin talagang nakikita kasi aside from ang hirap maipasa ng SOGIESC Equality Bill, parang at least not saying is like the hero or something but opens conversations," the program's proponent said.
"In the long run, sobrang worth it niya kasi tingnan mo ngayon, not to downplay or anything pero ito 'yung isa sa mga progress na gusto natin talagang nakikita kasi aside from ang hirap maipasa ng SOGIESC Equality Bill, parang at least not saying is like the hero or something but opens conversations," the program's proponent said.
"It served as a bridge to open these kinds of conversations na aside from gender-based discrimination pala mayroon din underlying message na pagdating pala sa healthcare mayroon pa ring discrimination," he added.
"It served as a bridge to open these kinds of conversations na aside from gender-based discrimination pala mayroon din underlying message na pagdating pala sa healthcare mayroon pa ring discrimination," he added.
MORE BATTLES TO COME
With queer families all over the country still facing challenges such as access to healthcare, de Guzman hopes that more localities would replicate their RTC card program.
With queer families all over the country still facing challenges such as access to healthcare, de Guzman hopes that more localities would replicate their RTC card program.
"Stories like that aren't isolated, unfortunately, but it happens every day. Much like any emergency or any problems couples face everyday. So it's really high time na sana maging bukas ang puso ng mga cities natin to finally adopt a program like Right to Care," he added.
"Stories like that aren't isolated, unfortunately, but it happens every day. Much like any emergency or any problems couples face everyday. So it's really high time na sana maging bukas ang puso ng mga cities natin to finally adopt a program like Right to Care," he added.
GENDER-INCLUSIVE POLICIES, LAWS NEEDED
He also stressed the importance of having gender-inclusive policies to cater to the needs of the community -- particularly the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill that is still languishing in Congress.
He also stressed the importance of having gender-inclusive policies to cater to the needs of the community -- particularly the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality Bill that is still languishing in Congress.
"Hindi lang naman siya Right to Care. Sana mag-provide pa 'yung mga government ng inclusive policies that protects queer people, diba? Hindi lang couples, queer individuals na tatakbo sa ospital or usaping medikal, it's the everyday things that we do in life or like our normal routines as people na kailangan natin ng someone or something that will protect us in the long run. So, sana more cities would implement policies that will protect us," de Guzman said.
"Hindi lang naman siya Right to Care. Sana mag-provide pa 'yung mga government ng inclusive policies that protects queer people, diba? Hindi lang couples, queer individuals na tatakbo sa ospital or usaping medikal, it's the everyday things that we do in life or like our normal routines as people na kailangan natin ng someone or something that will protect us in the long run. So, sana more cities would implement policies that will protect us," de Guzman said.
"It helps kasi as mentioned earlier na sa Pilipinas in 2024, walang batas na kumikilala (sa LGBT). Hindi tayo nakikita ng estado, especially yung pagmamahalan ng mga... I'll use bakla as an umbrella term. Hindi nakikita ang bakla ng estado," he said.
"It helps kasi as mentioned earlier na sa Pilipinas in 2024, walang batas na kumikilala (sa LGBT). Hindi tayo nakikita ng estado, especially yung pagmamahalan ng mga... I'll use bakla as an umbrella term. Hindi nakikita ang bakla ng estado," he said.
Belmonte has previously expressed her hope that Quezon City's gender-inclusive policies can influence other LGUs.
Belmonte has previously expressed her hope that Quezon City's gender-inclusive policies can influence other LGUs.
"There is still so much to be done and we are one with the community in, of course, fighting for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill," Belmonte said in a recent press conference.
"There is still so much to be done and we are one with the community in, of course, fighting for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill," Belmonte said in a recent press conference.
"Part of what we are doing here is of course an act of activism, our contribution to the fight towards finally the passage of this bill ... we have a lot in terms of influencing local government units," she added.
"Part of what we are doing here is of course an act of activism, our contribution to the fight towards finally the passage of this bill ... we have a lot in terms of influencing local government units," she added.
Belmonte stressed how cities can create ripples of progress with gender-inclusive programs and support for the SOGIESC Equality Bill.
Belmonte stressed how cities can create ripples of progress with gender-inclusive programs and support for the SOGIESC Equality Bill.
"In our own little [ways], even if the national government has not an all encompassing law at that level, at the level of cities, what the message we are trying to impart is that cities are also centers of change and change can happen in cities with very supportive local chief executives," the QC mayor said.
"In our own little [ways], even if the national government has not an all encompassing law at that level, at the level of cities, what the message we are trying to impart is that cities are also centers of change and change can happen in cities with very supportive local chief executives," the QC mayor said.
De Guzman is optimistic that there would be more creative minds that would face more challenges and craft solutions towards building a more inclusive country for the LGBT community.
De Guzman is optimistic that there would be more creative minds that would face more challenges and craft solutions towards building a more inclusive country for the LGBT community.
"The whole world is watching for the Philippines to finally wake up one day and choose to progress. And it's also a signifier, a really great signifier that malayo na ang narating natin. And in 2024, ilalayo pa natin, mas ilalayo pa natin. Hindi na siya malayo pa, pero malayo na. Malayo na, may ilalayo pa," de Guzman said.
"The whole world is watching for the Philippines to finally wake up one day and choose to progress. And it's also a signifier, a really great signifier that malayo na ang narating natin. And in 2024, ilalayo pa natin, mas ilalayo pa natin. Hindi na siya malayo pa, pero malayo na. Malayo na, may ilalayo pa," de Guzman said.
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