Anti-discrimination on health status ordinance lauded

The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance of the city as amended in July of this year to include health status was recognized by the Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), announced Councilor Joselle Villafuerte in her privilege speech yesterday during the City Council regular session.

The HSP, a medical society composed of physicians specializing in the treatment of liver diseases, handed the award last week.

Although unable to attend, Villafuerte expressed her gratitude to partner advocates.

“We are honored to have the presence of our partners who advocated very strongly about this concern to end the stigma or discrimination against persons who suffer illness but are still able to work and become productive members of the society,” Villafuerte said.

Davao Doctors Hospital Clinical Head of Endoscopy Unit and gastroenterologist Dr. Marilyn Arguillas presented the plaque to the Council.

“They have said that after the passage of this ordinance, there is a market improvement in the lives of those who are Hepatitis B positive because now companies are not very strict anymore,” Arguillas said in her message.

She continued that companies are only strict because of the misinformation and misconception about Hepatitis B.

“This passage is very important because now, the 16.7% positive Filipinos are given the opportunity to join the workforce without any discrimination,” she said.

Arguillas also urged the executive branch to push through the ordinance.

“I hope the executive branch will be able to go through, follow through, draft, and be able to approve the implementing rules and regulation of this ordinance so that more people will benefit from this landmark legislation,” she said.

The city is the only city nationwide with an Anti-discrimination Ordinance to include Health Status. (Julianne A. Suarez)