LGBTQIA+ couples in Quezon City can now apply for the city’s Right to Care Card online, making it easier to secure legal authorization to make medical decisions for one another during emergencies.
The Quezon City Government recently integrated the Right to Care Card application into its QC e-Services portal, allowing applicants to complete the initial registration digitally instead of applying solely through in-person processes.
To apply, users must log in to the QC e-Services portal, select the “Right to Care Card” icon, click “Apply for Right to Care Card,” and provide their personal information along with their partner’s details. After submitting the application, applicants will receive an email confirmation and can monitor the status of their application through their online dashboard.
The Gender and Development (GAD) Council Office will then contact applicants for the verification process before the application is finalized.
Launched in June 2023 during Pride Month, the Right to Care Card is the first program of its kind in the Philippines. It was created to address the legal challenges LGBTQIA+ couples often face in hospitals, where medical decisions are typically reserved for legal spouses or immediate family members.
The card works through a Special Power of Attorney (SPA), allowing cardholders to consent to, refuse, or withdraw medical treatment on behalf of their partner. It also authorizes them to choose healthcare providers, process medical information, sign hospital documents and waivers, and handle hospital admission and discharge procedures.
The program was initially implemented in Quezon City’s government-run hospitals, including Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital. The city government has said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to promote equality, inclusion, and respect for all residents regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, and at least one partner must be a resident of Quezon City.
According to the Quezon City Government, 468 queer couples applied for the Right to Care Card from 2023 to 2025, reflecting growing awareness and use of the program since its launch.
For inquiries, applicants may contact the Gender and Development Council Office at the 6th Floor, High Rise Building, Quezon City Hall, call 8988-4242 local 8739, or email GADCouncil@quezoncity.gov.ph.
📸 Quezon City Government
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