LGBTQIA+ couples in San Juan can now make medical decisions for their partners, following the passage of a landmark ordinance recognizing their right to act as healthcare proxies — a move that coincides with Pride Month.

Approved on June 10, the Right to Care Card Ordinance legally allows individuals in same-sex relationships to be recognized as medical decision-makers, a role traditionally reserved for legal spouses or next of kin.

In the Philippines, where same-sex marriage remains illegal and LGBTQIA+ partnerships are not legally recognized, queer couples are often excluded from making critical decisions for their partners in hospitals.

“In recognition of the efforts to ensure equalities and equity among all gender, the City Government of San Juan hereby declares that all Health-Care Providers within the territorial jurisdiction of locality shall recognize and respect the use of the Health Care Proxy issued by the Gender & Development Office of the City of San Juan granting LGBTQIA+ couples and other eligible individuals the right to make medical decisions for their partners if needed,” stated by the ordinance. 

The Health Care Proxy, issued by the city’s Gender and Development Office, functions similarly to a special power of attorney, granting the cardholder legal authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of their partner in times of need.

San Juan City is the second city in the Philippines to implement such a policy, following Quezon City’s pioneering initiative in 2023.

Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña, who served as a resource person during the ordinance’s public hearing last February 28, celebrated the development in a Facebook post.

“Deserve ng bawat partner, anumang SOGIE, na kilalaning ‘mahal sa buhay’ sa mata ng batas,” he wrote. 

The ordinance marks a significant step toward healthcare equality for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos, especially as the SOGIESC Equality Bill remains stalled at the national level.