LA UNION SP PASSES ANTI-DISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros, GPC–SP | Photo By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella, GPC-SP | Date: February 18, 2020
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members approve the La Union Anti - Discrimination Ordinance on the final reading during their 34th Regular Session on February 18, 2020 at the SP Session Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union. Principally authored by SPM Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay, the ordinance aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to value the dignity of every person, guarantee full respect for human rights, and give the highest priority to measures that protect and enhance the right of all people in the province.
Ten out of 10 Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Members who were present during the session voted for the passage of Draft Ordinance No. 184-2019 entitled “Prohibiting Acts and Conducts of Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Actual or Perceived Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression, Disability, Age, Ethnic Origin, Civil/Marital Status, and Religious and Political Affiliation or Beliefs” during the 34th Regular Session of the 22nd SP on February 18, 2020 at the SP Session Hall, City of San Fernando, La Union.
La Union’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance principally authored by SPM Nancy Corazon M. Bacurnay aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to value the dignity of every person, guarantee full respect for human rights, and give the highest priority to measures that protect and enhance the right of all people in the province.
The enacted ordinance will penalize discriminatory acts such as, but not limited to discrimination in employment in the workplace, discrimination in education and educational or training institutions, discrimination in the issuance of licenses, clearances, certifications, and other similar documents, and discrimination in the delivery of goods or services on the basis of sex, age and others as provided in the ordinance.
Provided in Section 6 of the ordinance is the creation of the La Union Anti-Discrimination Council composed of the Provincial Governor as the Chairperson and other officials and representatives of the various sectors.
Violators of the ordinance would be penalized with not less than 45 days but not more than one year of imprisonment and/or a fine not less than P2,000.00 but not to exceed P5,000.00 or both at the discretion of the court.
The passage of this ordinance aims to ensure that human rights of all people, regardless of who they are and where they come from, are protected and promoted.
