By Chantal Jade V. Tolores
In a historic and progressive step, the Province of Aklan has passed Ordinance No. 2025-003, a sweeping anti-discrimination measure that could—and should—set a precedent for the rest of the Philippines. This piece of legislation is not just a win for the province’s marginalized communities; it is a win for human dignity.
Passed by the 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan on April 21, 2025, led by the initiative of Board Members Edmundo M. Tolentino Jr. and Jay Tejada, the ordinance bans discrimination based on a wide range of identities: race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression), health status, physical appearance, disability, and more.
This legislative move positions Aklan among only a handful of provinces brave enough to confront one of the Philippines’ most persistent social issues—prejudice.
This is not merely symbolic. It is substantive. It mandates equal access to services, fair treatment in the workplace and schools, and respect for diversity in both public and private spaces. It tasks local governments and institutions with conducting awareness campaigns and grievance mechanisms. In short, it does what national lawmakers have so far failed to do—enact local action for inclusivity.
But as with any progressive law, this is where the real work begins. The danger now is complacency.
While it is easy to hail the ordinance as a victory, its impact will depend entirely on implementation. Laws on paper don’t change lives—policies do. Ordinances need teeth. A dedicated monitoring body must be formed. Public officials must be trained. Schools and workplaces must be oriented. Police and barangay officials must be made accountable to enforce it, not just recite it.
The fight against discrimination is not just about punishing the guilty but also about protecting the vulnerable. For far too long, the LGBTQ+ community, in particular, has borne the brunt of verbal abuse, economic marginalization, and violence—often sanctioned or ignored by those in power. By institutionalizing protection for this group and others, Aklan is saying: “Enough”.
This ordinance arrives at a critical time. Discrimination in the Philippines, particularly against LGBTQ+ Filipinos, Indigenous people, and persons with disabilities, remains normalized in many regions. In the absence of a national SOGIE Equality Bill, this local ordinance becomes even more vital.
It functions as a valuable guide and an encouraging challenge for other provinces to consider and learn from.
What Aklan did is not radical—it is rational, and it is humane. It is precisely the kind of political courage that has been lacking from the halls of Congress to the smallest of barangay halls. If Aklan, a largely rural province, can do this, why can’t the rest of the country?
Critics will argue that this law caters only to a “minority agenda.” They are wrong.
This ordinance is about equal rights for all—not just those who look, speak, love, or pray like the majority. Discrimination is not just an LGBTQ+ issue. It is a human issue. Laws like this benefit everyone by creating safer and more equitable communities.
The passage of Ordinance No. 2025-003 is a proud moment for Aklan and for every Filipino who believes in justice. But we cannot stop here. The national government should take notice, and the rest of the country should take action. The future of an inclusive Philippines starts with bold steps like this.
Aklan just took one. Who’s next?
