By Ruth T. Rodriguez
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, May 26 (PNA) — The Committee on Ordinances and Legal Matters of the Sangguniang Panlungsod here has approved the ordinance that would outlaw discrimination against the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community.
Authored by Councilor Roy Gregorio Ventura, the ordinance which needs the approval of the member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from the committee level seeks to protect the LGBT from discrimination in work and employment, educational institutions, obtaining of products and services, and others.
Ventura said the ordinance further seeks to provide equal rights to the members of the LGBT community, and deliver penalties to those who will violate it.
He said Monday that for first offense, a fine of PHP1,000 will be imposed; second offense PHP2,500 and third, PHP5,000.
At the Sangguniang Panlungsod Monday, deliberation of the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod focused on the comfort room. The question was if the LGBT will use the comfort rooms for men or women.
In the end, the councilors agreed on the possibility of constructing a comfort room that would cater to the LGBT community.
Ventura expects the ordinance to be passed in the third and final reading next Monday. (PNA)