Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

<p>NAGA CITY — In a major legislative milestone for inclusivity and human rights in the Bicol region, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has officially passed the Naga City Annual LGBTQIA+ Commitment Ceremony Ordinance.</p><p>Authored by Councilor Gilda Gayle Abonal-Gomez, the newly approved measure institutionalizes a formal city-backed framework to celebrate diversity, honor all forms of love, and acknowledge the relationships of consenting adults within the local community. </p><p>The landmark ordinance provides a symbolic affirmation of love and partnership between consenting adults, aimed at recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).</p><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02vdDXeFUkgy3C4wixTrZxyuFrFC1e4vXCumqNFbVEmvoKYubemvqSLtB6XqEjQQKpl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="792" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Local officials explicitly clarified that the ceremony serves purely as a social and community recognition.</p><p>According to the directive, &quot;It does not constitute a legal marriage under the Family Code and confers no legal rights or obligations. This makes the event purely voluntary and that nothing in this ordinance shall be construed as conferring legal marital status or as substituting for civil marriage under the law.&quot;</p><p>To sustain the program, the ordinance sets a clear operational mechanism with the historic first ceremony scheduled to commence this June 2026 to coincide with global Pride Month celebrations, while subsequent annual events will permanently shift to a regular schedule every February.</p><p>Three key local government departments have been cross-designated as the primary implementing offices to ensure smooth coordination.</p><p>The Gender and Development (GAD) Office will serve as the lead implementing body that &quot;evaluates applications and maintains a confidential registry.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/3/cebu-allows-lgbt-couples-make-medical-decisions-for-each-other-0945">Cebu province allows LGBT couples make medical decisions for each other</a></div><p>The city mayor or a designate, &quot;shall officiate the ceremony through providing policy direction for the program implementation,&quot; while the City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office (CEPPIO) is tasked to &quot;disseminate information and document the ceremony to promote the program as one of the City’s inclusive governance initiatives.&quot;</p><p>To protect the rights of all individuals, the ordinance embeds a strict Anti-Discrimination and Protection Clause which explicitly mandates that &quot;no one shall be discriminated against for joining or not joining the LGBTQIA+ Commitment Ceremony.&quot;</p><p>City officials and public employees are also strictly directed to uphold the highest standards of respect and equality, with the document heavily warning that &quot;no person shall be harassed or subjected to prejudice for participating. Violations by city officials are subject to administrative disciplinary action&quot; under Civil Service rules.</p><p>With this institutionalized mechanism, the local government reinforces its community slogan, &quot;Ika, ako, kita an Naga&quot; (You, me, we are Naga), signaling a definitive stride toward &quot;eliminating discrimination through creating a community-centered event&quot; and providing &quot;adequate support for a program celebrating diversity and honoring all forms of love.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/10/supreme-court-recognizes-co-ownership-of-property-in-same-sex-relationships-1134">Supreme Court recognizes co-ownership of property in same-sex relationships</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bVT4pNQD9GQ?si=ApmRsIGabhWPRvzO" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Authored by Councilor Gilda Gayle Abonal-Gomez, the newly approved measure institutionalizes a formal city-backed framework to celebrate diversity, honor all forms of love, and acknowledge the relationships of consenting adults within the local community.</p>

Authored by Councilor Gilda Gayle Abonal-Gomez, the newly approved measure institutionalizes a formal city-backed framework to celebrate diversity, honor all forms of love, and acknowledge the relationships of consenting adults within the local community.

Naga City approves annual LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremony

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Naga City approves annual LGBTQIA+ commitment ceremony

Jonathan Magistrado,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 20, 2026 08:48 AM PHT

Read More:

naga city

SOGIESC

LGBTQIA+

leni robredo

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