TASK FORCE. The Cagayan de Oro City government on Tuesday (May 16, 2023) established a Mental Health Task Force to address depression and other mental health issues in the city. Mayor Rolando Uy also signed the creation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer-plus Federation. (Image courtesy of Mayor Uy Facebook Page)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government established on Tuesday the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer-plus (LGBTQ+) Federation and Mental Health Task Force.
In a statement, Mayor Rolando Uy signed an executive order (EO) forming the LGBTQ+ Federation "to assist in promoting equality and diversity in the city."
With the creation of the federation, Uy said there would be programs formulated for the LGBTQ+ community that would encourage them to become productive members of society who could contribute to progress.
"I have been supporting the LGBTQ+ sector since I was still a congressman in the 17th Congress, as I was one of the main authors of House Bill 4982 (in 2017)," he said.
The proposed measure referred to as the Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Or Expression Bill seeks to penalize any form of discrimination based on one's gender identity.
With the new EO, Uy also seeks to encourage the city council to pass an anti-discrimination ordinance.
Meanwhile, Uy also launched the Task Force on Mental Health as an answer to the growing concerns of mental health issues, particularly depression, among the youth in the city.
The task force, which will be chaired by City Administrator Hilario Roy Raagas and co-chaired by gender and development focal person Sheila Lumbatan, is expected to draft measures that would improve the city officials' capability in handling mental health issues.
The task force is also tasked to develop programs on suicide prevention, including its treatment and response mechanism. (PNA)
