By Sam Ramos
Zamboanga City has been recognized as one of the “LGUs for Equality” by the Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) Inc. and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany for its efforts in championing LGBTQI inclusion and implementing policies promoting equality.
The recognition was presented during the #LGUs4Equality Forum and Recognition Night, the culmination of the PANTAY Summit 2024 held from November 25 to 29 in Quezon City.
Zamboanga City’s delegation, led by City Gender and Development (GAD) Officer Wilfredo Aporongao, City Planning and Development Office’s GAD Focal Person Liezel Tan, and Mujer-LGBT Organization’s Executive Director Alvin Toni Gee Fernandez, actively participated in the summit. They were joined by LGBTQI advocates Ivan Ladja and Justin Solis Mejia.
Mayor John Dalipe and councilors Hon. Jihan Edding and Hon. Lilibeth Macrohon Nuño were also recognized for their leadership in addressing the needs of the LGBTQI community.
The summit focused on empowering local government units (LGUs) to effectively implement anti-discrimination ordinances and contribute to the national campaign for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill. One of the key activities was a workshop titled Crafting Local Equality Campaigns: Messages and Strategies for LGBTQI Inclusion at the Local Level, which equipped participants with practical strategies to design impactful campaigns for equality.
The recognition also underscored the city’s role as a model for other LGUs, advocating for sustained efforts to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill and addressing systemic discrimination. PANTAY’s initiatives, including partnerships with LGUs and the development of community monitoring toolkits, continue to foster inclusivity at both local and national levels.