THE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Community-Bulacan Federation conducted an annual LGBT Pride Month Celebration that started on Thursday from June 17 to July 22, 2021 as a way of recognizing and strengthening the positive influence of LGBT people in the community.
The event is in partnership with the provincial government of Bulacan and in cooperation with the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Bulacan.
Entitled “Lakbay Kumustahan: The LGBT Bulacan Hello Caravan 2021,” officers of the federation will visit other local LGBT organizations in the 21 municipalities and three cities in the province to strengthen ties and discuss significant projects and programs that will benefit the Bulakenyo LGBT members.
Included in their agenda are massive information campaigns about their rights and the Anti-Discrimination Bill, programs where they can benefit from, database and profiling to record data and status of LGBT that can help address their needs including medical, education, jobs, trade and industry, and proper allocation of funds and services from different agencies in the country.
The event also aims to raise the awareness on the LGBT being force multipliers of peace and security as part of the advocacy group of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) in implementing Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte or institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.
“Basically for the entire Philippines, medyo huli ang sector ng LGBT sa napapansin, that’s why we would like our sector to be part of the priority list ng gobyerno and we are thankful for the initiative of Gov. Fernando in helping us giving his all-out support sa mga katulad namin,” said Renan Eusebio, chairman of the LGBT Bulacan Federation and director for Central Luzon of LGBT Pilipinas.
He added that there are 40,000 LGBTs in the province of Bulacan wherein in the first day of registration some 13,000 LGBTs have been registered for profiling.
Eusebio said that the basic form database and profiling to record data will particularly identify their gender as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender unlike in the national ID system which only identifies the individual’s gender as “male or female.”
Also, an assistance under the Cash for Work Program for more or less 500 LGBT members who lost their jobs is up for discussion.
Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando said that the province is making sure that all sectors are appreciated in their respective roles in society.
“Bawat isa sa atin ay may mahalagang papel na ginagampanan at kayo ay isa dito. Your contributions are as vital as everybody’s who is willing to share his part for the province, kaya buo ang suporta namin sa inyo,” Fernando said.
Meanwhile, 371 LGBT members who lost their jobs and closed their businesses have already received P5,000 each from the DOLE-DOT Bayanihan Act II for Tourism Displaced Workers; ten more received Negosyo Cart and 80 E-loading stations from DOLE and PESO Bulacan. Moreover, Fernando is allotting 300 scholarship grants to support LGBT youth members who want to finish their studies.
MAIN PHOTO: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Community-Bulacan Federation headed by its Chairman Renan Eusebio with members of the Bustos Chapter.