The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) strongly expressed its commitment to building inclusive social protection interventions for all communities across the country at the first LGBTQIA+Affairs consultation dialogue on Wednesday (September 30).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, through a message delivered by Undersecretary for Innovations and Program Development Group (IPDG) Edu Punay, emphasized that social protection must directly address the lived experiences and actual needs of the public.

“To our LGBTQIA+ community, mahalaga ang inyong mga tinig at karanasan. Secretary Rex hopes that this dialogue will open doors to continually converse on the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of the sector,” Undersecretary Punay said during the inaugural dialogue hosted by the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs at the DSWD Central Office.

Secretary Gatchalian encouraged LGBTQIA+ organizations to strengthen public-private partnerships, assuring them of the DSWD’s active support in promoting their advocacy.

“Rest assured that the DSWD remains committed to uphold the rights and dignity of all persons and to ensure that our social protection interventions are fair, accessible, and respectful of diversity so that no one is left behind,” Undersecretary Punay said.

Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs Chairperson Elen Pasion said their committee, under the Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DIC), was created through Executive Order No. 51 (s. 2023) signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

As an inter-agency body, the committee strengthens existing mechanisms against anti-LGBTQIA+ discrimination and integrates the sector into the national policy-formulation process.

“Our plans remain anchored on these same functions, with particular focus on strengthening inter-agency coordination, expanding consultations and regional engagements, building the capacity of government offices, and developing more sustainable policies, programs, and mechanisms for LGBTQIA+ inclusion,” Chairperson Pasion said.

In line with this mandate, the Special Committee gathered representatives from LGBTQIA+ organizations, the DSWD Executive Committee, and key stakeholders for its first consultation dialogue.

“Today’s gathering gives practical expression to this mandate by bringing together organizations and stakeholders to share perspectives, identify gaps, and to put forward recommendations,” said DSWD Operations Group Undersecretary and DIC Alternate Chair Pinky Romualdez.

During the consultation dialogue facilitated by Asst. Secretary Raymond Mazo of the Special Committee for LGBTQIA+ Affairs, organizers divided representatives into six thematic focus groups to tackle key issues affecting the community.

These sessions covered rights, justice, safety, and protection; health and psychosocial well-being; education, skills, and youth development; work, livelihood, and social protection; family, community, culture, and participation; as well as government services, governance, data, and accountability.

Throughout these break-out discussions, stakeholders exchanged insights on advancing gender equality, expanding advocacy networks, and recommending responsive legislative and administrative policies to protect the rights and welfare of the LGBTQIA+ sector.

Hon. Maria Corazon “Kap G” Abalos, Barangay Captain of Highway Hills in Mandaluyong City, and a long-time advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, noted significant progress under the Marcos administration.

“Being gay used to be so difficult. Very difficult. You can just imagine during the 1960s… it’s very hard. Good thing we now have gender-friendly comfort rooms. [People] are now more aware of our existence. Our voices are loud, and I’m very very thankful to the President that he created Executive Order No. 51,” Barangay Captain Abalos said.

Alongside the thematic workshops, Asst. Secretary Jezreel Maristela of the Special Committee on LGBTQIA+ Affairs unveiled Phase 1 of the LGBTQIA+ Community Website and System.

This centralized digital platform will house a nationwide directory of LGBTQIA+ organizations, publish relevant news and feature stories, and provide public access to sector-related events, local ordinances, and national policies.

The DSWD fully supports the Special Committee in conducting regular consultations and policy dialogues across all regions.

Through these sustained multi-sectoral engagements, the DSWD aims to continuously refine its social welfare policies and ensure that every LGBTQIA+ Filipino experiences responsive, equitable, and compassionate governance. (KB)