MOVING  a step forward, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., had issued an executive order which tasked the creation of a special committee that would cater to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBTQIA+) issues. 

Marcos signed Executive Order 51, “to strengthen existing mechanisms to address the continued discrimination being experienced by the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.” 

He said that the chairperson of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs is also to include an Inter-Agency Committee on Diversity and Inclusion.

This shall in turn be reconstituted as the Diversity and Inclusion committee. 

The special committee will be headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The secretaries of Migrant Workers and labor will serve as co-chairpersons.

There will also have three members who will carry the rank of assistant secretary that will be appointed by Marcos “from among the members of reputable organizations representing the LGBTQIA+ community.” 

It is expected to convene once every quarter, and ensure that policies will “effectively promote equality, equity, non-discrimination, inclusion and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community.” 

The Philippines is predominantly of a Catholic faith.

Likewise, the EO tasks the special committee to submit to the President within six months “a Diversity and Inclusion Program (DIP), which shall serve as the blueprint of the national government in implementing programs, activities and projects against discrimination of persons.”

It is also expected to “coordinate with concerned government agencies to ensure availability of sufficient and reliable data on the status, challenges and opportunities of the LGBTQIA+ community” as well as to “develop a consultative mechanism allowing continuing dialogue between the government and the LGBTQIA+ community.”

Marcos’ EO comes after Pope Francis approved a ruling to which the priests can administer blessings to same-sex couples, but there are certain conditions, and the blessings do not resemble marriage, which will not be part of Church rituals or liturgies.