Quezon City Launches New ‘Right to Care’ Card for LGBTQ+ Partners in Hospitals
Quezon City has once again cemented its role as a pioneer for LGBT+ rights in the Philippines with the rollout of its new ‘Right to Care’ Card, an initiative that empowers queer couples to act as each other’s legal medical representatives in city hospitals. This landmark program, first of its kind in the country, recognizes the urgent need for equal access to healthcare decision-making for LGBTQ+ partners, challenging long-standing barriers that have kept queer families on the sidelines during medical emergencies.
Learn more about the Right to Care Card
How the Right to Care Card Works
The card operates via a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), which gives registered partners the authority to make key medical decisions, such as consenting to, refusing, or withdrawing treatment; choosing healthcare providers; accessing medical records; and handling discharge or admission procedures. Each card features a unique QR code, linking directly to a secure, notarized digital version of the SPA document. This ensures hospital staff can quickly verify a partner’s legal authority in real time.
The program rolled out in major Quezon City public hospitals, including Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital. Orientation seminars further empower cardholders by educating them on the scope and legal power of the SPA, and the city is actively building partnerships with more private hospitals to expand the network of acceptance.
Read the full announcement here
Breaking Barriers for LGBTQ+ Families
Traditionally, Filipino hospitals recognize only legal spouses or next of kin decision-making, a rule that has led to heartbreak and discrimination for countless queer couples. The Right to Care Card is a step toward justice, providing legal recognition and practical protection for LGBTQ+ families often left out of the medical loop. The Commission on Human Rights lauded the move as a “monumental step in achieving genuine equality,” emphasizing that it aligns with constitutional and international principles of equal protection and the right to family life.
See the CHR statement here
Community Empowerment and the Next Steps
Interest in the program has grown steadily since its soft launch: from 2023 to 2025, at least 468 queer couples have registered for the Right to Care Card, a sign to both the need and the trust Quezon City’s LGBTQ+ citizens place in local leadership. Applicants complete forms with the city’s Gender and Development (GAD) Office, attend a legal orientation, and submit notarized SPA documents for validation. The process emphasizes both legal rigor and accessibility, reflecting a city government determined to uphold rights, not just in word, but in deed.
Know Your Rights: What the Card Entitles You To
- Choose or refuse medical treatment on your partner’s behalf
- Access and manage your partner’s medical records
- Admission and discharge authority for hospital care
- Handle medical waivers and pursue disputes if needed
- Expanded recognition in public and (soon) private hospitals in Quezon City
Mayor Joy Belmonte hopes the success of this initiative will inspire other Philippine cities to follow suit, ensuring that LGBTQ+ couples everywhere can share the same sense of security. For more on how to apply and the full list of benefits, visit the Right to Care Card information page.
Standing Tall for Equality
Following Quezon City’s success in hosting Lov3Laban 2025, where security and mental health were at the forefront, this new policy marks another concrete stride in the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ dignity and protection. While the SOGIE Equality Bill still faces hurdles nationally, Quezon City proves that bold, local action can make the law work for everyone.
