U.S. Ambassador hails Dagupan’s gender equality ordinance
UNITED States Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. hailed an ordinance in Dagupan seeking to further promote gender equality in the city.
“I’m very happy that a local government unit (in the Philippines) was brave enough to pass such a measure,” said Thomas, who met with Dagupan City Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez and former City Councilor Farah Marie Decano in Baguio City last July 15.
The ordinance, passed on June 21 this year, seeks to eliminate barriers against the full development of individuals, especially because of their sex, gender and sexual orientation.
“Discrimination of lesbian and gay is a waste of time,” said Thomas, adding that the U.S. Embassy observed Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual Day in June this year.
Decano was acting vice mayor of Dagupan when the ordinance, numbered 1953-2010, was passed by the Dagupan City Council. At that time, Fernandez, who has been re-elected for a second term of office, was visiting the United States.
The ordinance, jointly sponsored by Councilors Maria Librada Fe Reyna and Jose Netu Tamayo, affirms the worth and dignity of women and men as human beings and therefore upholds their rights “as human rights”.
Section 9 of the ordinance provides that no person shall be dismissed from work because of one’s sex, gender and sexual orientation. Moreover, no person shall receive a different salary or wage or compensation benefits solely on the basis of sex, gender and sexual orientation.
The ordinance also states that no person shall be denied access to government assistance, resources and information due to his/her sex gender and orientation.
It further provides that no person shall be denied access to capability building and economic opportunities nor denied the right to participation, express an opinion on a public issue and/or be denied involvement in any political process due to his or her sex, gender and sexual orientation.
Any violation of the ordinance shall be punishable by six months imprisonment and/or P5,000. Should a corporation or branch be sued, the president, the immediate manager and/or supervisor/ department head shall be held liable with the erring employee.
Thomas asked Decano to furnish him a copy of the ordinance.—LM
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