Laguna, Ilocos Sur pass 'Right to Care' ordinances; Cebu implements through EO

Laguna and Ilocos Sur have passed province-wide “Right to Care” ordinances which allow patients to designate who can make medical decisions on their behalf in case they are unable to do it themselves.

The measures are the second and third province-wide healthcare proxy ordinances passed by provincial boards, following Cavite’s enactment of its counterpart policy last May. The ordinances aim to help respect the wishes of patients such as solo parents, single persons, persons in same-sex relationships, and members of non-traditional households, among others, when it comes to healthcare.

“The Province recognizes that care relationships extend beyond traditional family structures and that effective healthcare requires the presence of trusted support systems,” the provincial board of Ilocos Sur expressed through Section 2 of Provincial Ordinance No. 0337-2026, posted last June 25 on the board’s official Facebook page.

“It shall therefore adopt mechanisms that allow individuals to identify who may act on their behalf, promote shared responsibility in caregiving, and ensure that no person is left without representation or support during medical situations.”

Ilocos Sur’s provincial board has mandated the creation of a registry of residents of legal age who will opt to designate their respective “Care Partners” or healthcare proxies.

“The Provincial Health Office shall serve as the lead implementing agency and shall establish and maintain a registry of Principal and Care Partners, including the issuance of Right to Care Cards supported by a secure and verifiable documentation system,” Section 5 of the passed ordinance states.

Laguna’s ordinance

Laguna's “Right to Care” ordinance meanwhile was passed on third and final reading, Provincial Board Member Bernadeth Olivares announced in a Facebook post on June 30.

“Ito po ay isang polisiyang nagsusulong ng inclusive governance at kumikilala sa karapatan ng bawat Lagunense na italaga ang kaniyang pinagkakatiwalaang partner o mahal sa buhay na magdesisyon sa panahon ng mahahalagang pagpapasyang medikal para sa kaniya sa oras ng health emergency, kung wala na siyang kakayahang magpasya at wala o hindi agad maabot ang kaniyang immediate family,” wrote Olivares, principal author of the ordinance.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauded the passage of Laguna’s ordinance, saying it aligns with Article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

“Karapatan ng bawat tao na makatanggap ng pantay at maayos na serbisyong pangkalusugan, anuman ang kanilang kasarian, sekswalidad, o uri ng relasyon,” the CHR wrote on its Facebook post on July 8.

City ordinances and Cebu’s EO

In Cebu, its government has institutionalized a “Right to Care” program through the signing of an Executive Order (EO) No. 29-2026 by Gov. Pam Baricuatro, according to a post by the province’s information office last June 1.

“The EO allows individuals to designate a trusted person to accompany them during hospitalization, serve as an emergency contact, assist in accessing social services and provide support during times of need, regardless of marital status.”

Quezon City, San Juan City, and Iloilo City were the first three cities confirmed to have such ordinances, with Quezon City being the first jurisdiction to roll out the policy during June 2023.

Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Dasmarinas and Biñan, Laguna have also enacted their own ordinances this 2026.

Bills have since been filed in Congress, aiming to make the policy nationwide in scope. —JCB, GMA News