Right to Care card
| Right to Care card | |
|---|---|
 Front side sample of the Quezon City card | |
| Type | Healthcare proxy / Power of attorney card |
| First issued | 2023 |
| In circulation | No (Pre-registration) |
| Valid in | select public hospitals in Quezon City and San Juan |
| Eligibility | LGBT city residents with a partner[a] |
| Rights | Ability to make medical decisions in behalf of one's designated partner. |
| Website | www |
The Right to Care card is a document issued by some municipal governments in the Philippines for LGBT+ couples who are city residents.
History
[edit]Quezon City
[edit]The Right to Care card was launched on June 24, 2023, by the Quezon City government under Mayor Joy Belmonte coinciding with Pride Month observance.[1][2][3] The project is a partnership between the city government and MullenLowe Treyna.[4][5]
The implementation of the relevant program was launched in select hospitals under the Quezon City government such as the Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maaclang Bautista General Hospital.[6] The city government intends to secure partnerships with privately run hospitals within the city.[2]
San Juan
[edit]On June 13, 2025, San Juan in Metro Manila passed the City Ordinance No. 16 series of 2025, authorizing a Right to Care card for city residents.[7]
Benefits
[edit]Prior to the launch of the card, hospitals and other medical facilities only allow legal spouses or next of kin to make important medical decisions in behalf of an individual.[3]
This excludes same-sex partners from doing the same. They have to secure a special power of attorney (SPA).[3]
The card could be availed through the Quezon City gender and development (GAD) office. It will contain a QR code linking to the relevant notarized SPA.[3]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Same-sex unions is not recognized at a national level in the Philippines
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "QC gov't launches 'Right to Care' card". Manila Bulletin. June 25, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Abrogar, Sofia (July 4, 2023). "CHR lauds QC's Right to Care card, calls for more policies for LGBTQIA+". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Mateo, Janvic (June 25, 2023). "Quezon City launches 'Right to Care' card for LGBTQIA+ couples". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "MullenLowe Treyna and Quezon City Launch 'Right to Care Card' for LGBTQIA+ Couples in the Philippines". LBBOnline. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "MullenLowe Treyna and Quezon City launch 'Right to Care Card' for resident LGBTQIA+ couples". Adobo Magazine. June 29, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "Right to Care Card". Quezon City Government. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ magazine, adobo (June 13, 2025). "San Juan City Council passes Right to Care Ordinance, champions inclusive healthcare for LGBTQIA+ couples". adobo Magazine Online. Retrieved June 16, 2025.