Three years after its launch in Quezon City, the Right to Care program has expanded to several cities and provinces, allowing individuals to designate trusted partners or loved ones to make medical decisions during emergencies through a special power of attorney.
The initiative was created to address legal barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ couples and has since been recognized as a model that also benefits live-in partners, solo parents, overseas Filipino workers, and persons with disabilities.
Lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and the Senate have filed bills seeking to institutionalize the Right to Care Act nationwide, citing the program’s success in local governments.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said the measure promotes equality, human dignity, and access to health care regardless of family status.
They expressed optimism that Congress and the Marcos administration will support the proposed law to make the program available across the country.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 22, 2026
