DSWD Seeks P8M Budget for LGBTQIA+ Concerns Body

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is seeking at least P8 million in its 2027 funding for a special committee that crafts policies for the LGBTQIA+ community. However, Secretary Rex Gatchalian revealed that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) did not approve the proposed allocation. "We made representations with the DBM to actually create a line item for the special body on LGBTQIA. Unfortunately, it was not granted. The allocation we were asking for was P8 million to run that office," Gatchalian said during a House briefing on the DSWD's proposed P241.2-billion budget for 2027. He added, "Hopefully, the P8 million will be granted. That would give them more resources to come up with better policies and conduct better research on what the community needs and what new programs the department should run." The issue surfaced when Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña questioned the reported budget of the special committee, which is said to be less than P2 million this year. "According to news reports, their budget this year is below P2 million. So imagine operating an office with a huge mandate with a budget of under P2 million. That is very small. Will the Secretary confirm this?" Cendaña asked, suggesting that the lack of funding indicates a low priority and potentially "pinkwashing." He stated that the Marcos Jr. administration's commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community would be measured by the budget allocated for its programs. The special committee was established through an executive order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2023, aiming "to ensure the country’s continuous compliance with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Advocacy for the rights and support of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines has long been a focus of both domestic and international human rights groups. Discussions surrounding the legalization of same-sex marriage and the passage of a SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) Equality Bill are ongoing in Philippine society. The insufficient budget for the special committee raises concerns about the progress of these initiatives. Information Source: GMA News Philippines