BAGUIO CITY – Members of the city council passed on first reading a proposed ordinance creating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) office in the Summer Capital and for other purposes.
Authored by councilor Edgar Avila, the measure states that the city government recognizes the importance of LGBT members in the city’s development and shall promote their total development as individuals and members of the community.
“In this regard, the city shall endeavor to extend every assistance to them (LGBT) and avoid discrimination in the delivery of goods and services, accommodations, verbal/non-verbal ridicule and vilification, harassment, unjust detention, involuntary confinement and disallowance from entry or refusal to serve,” it sates.
Should the ordinance be finally approved, the LGBT office shall be composed of a Head assisted by a staff, majority of whom shall be LGBT persons and provided further that they shall possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications for a government position.
They shall be appointed by the City Mayor for a fixed term of five years without re-appointment from among a list of three nominees submitted by accredited and recognized LGBT organizations.
In general, the LGBT office shall implement the city’s programs, projects and activities related to the LGBT community among other objectives.
It states that the amount needed for the operation and maintenance of the office shall be included in the Annual Appropriations Budget provided that operating expenses of the office shall not be in excess of 30 percent of the annual appropriation and that at least 70 percent of the annual appropriation shall be devoted to LGBT development, programs and projects.**gaby keith
