Gealon pushes for creation of LGBTQ+ Affairs Office

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon has proposed an ordinance creating the Cebu City Office of the LGBTQ+ Affairs (CCOLA) to be headed by a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

The measure entitled “The Cebu City Office of the LGBTQ+ Affairs (CCOLA) Ordinance” is now under review by the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling as well as the Committee on Women, LGBTQ, and Family Affairs.

“There is a need to create an office within the Cebu City Government which shall be specifically dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community and to make the programs and services provided and mandated by the government more accessible to them,” read the proposed ordinance. 

The CCOLA, shall be constituted as the overall coordinating office in the Implementation of programs and projects of the national and local government that ensure the advancement of the rights, interests and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as in the provision of assistance to members of the LGBTIQIA+ community in the city in availing of vital government services and at the same time ensuring that these services are easily accessible to them.

It shall be headed by a member of the LGBTQ+ community who is from and is residing in Cebu City who shall be appointed by the local chief executive for a term of three years without reappointment but without prejudice to an extension if exigency so requires. 

The said appointee shall be chosen from a list of three nominees as recommended by a general assembly of LGBTQ+ organizations in the city.

Among the duties and functions of the CCOLA are to act as the overall coordinating office in the implementation of programs and projects of the national and local government aimed at the protection of rights and advancement of interests and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community; provide assistance to members of the LGBTQ+ community in forming federations/organizations in every barangay; ensure availability and accessibility of government projects and services specifically to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

It shall also assist members of the LGBTQ+ community in coordination with the City Legal Office in filing complaints or charges against any individual, establishment, business entity, institution or agency refusing to recognize rights and privileges granted to members of the LGBTQ+ community under any law, ordinance or executive order/proclamation.

The CCOLA shall be provided with an office space preferably within or close to the City Social Welfare Services Office (CSWSO) and shall be assisted by CSWSO. 

In addition, the local chief executive may deploy other personnel, preferably members of the LGBTQ+ community, from other offices to assist the CCOLA in the performance of its tasks.

Moreover, at least 80 percent of the personnel in the CCOLA shall be members of

the LGBTQ+ community. It shall be appropriated/allocated with funds sufficient for its operation. — FPL (FREEMAN)