Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte announced on Friday the forthcoming launch of a "care card" initiative specifically designed for couples within the LGBTIA+ community.
The program aims to grant legal authority to LGBTQIA+ couples, enabling them to make health-related decisions on behalf of their partners.
Belmonte emphasized that the care card program will overturn previous restrictions and permit couples to exercise this privilege, even if they are not recognized as next of kin.
“Dito sa care card na ito ang isang LGBT couple na matagal nang nagmamahalan through special power of attorney will be able to have authority over the health care decisions na dapat gawin or kailangan gawin para sa isang partner,” Belmonte said.
"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," she added.
Through the "Right to Care Card" program, LGBTQIA+ couples will also have the opportunity to include their partners as beneficiaries in their life insurance policies by means of a special contract.
The unveiling of the care card is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 24, coinciding with the city's Pride Festival.
During the launch event, comprehensive information regarding the specific rights and privileges that will be extended to LGBTQ+ couples through the care card program will be shared and discussed in detail.
Belmonte assured that extensive legal examinations were conducted with the assistance of a team of lawyers to ensure the feasibility of the program.
The lawyers confirmed that the inclusion of partners as beneficiaries can be accomplished through a special power of attorney.
