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MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidate and Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero said on Monday that he wants to establish shelters in each local government unit (LGU) for homeless members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
The proposal is similar to what he is currently doing in Sorsogon, and Escudero will push to institutionalize LGBT shelters nationwide, should he succeed in his Senate comeback bid.
“If we are committed to giving equal opportunities for all, every public servant should look after the welfare of their marginalized constituents, including the elderly and homeless LGBTs,” said Escudero in a statement.
“Dapat yakapin natin ang lahat ng sektor ng lipunan para sa pantay-pantay na pagkalinga at tulong, kabilang at kahanay rito ang mga nasa LGBT community,” he continued.
(We should embrace all sectors of society for equal care and help, including those belonging to the LGBT community.)
Escudero said that he plans to include funding for the shelters in his proposal, which will be supervised by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and LGUs.
Sorsogon is preparing for its first LGBT home or the Home for Homeless Gays after a private citizen donated a 1,500-square meter lot.
A livelihood training center for LGBT members will be available in the shelter.
“Hindi lang bubong at masisilungan ang gusto nating ipagkaloob sa ating mga may edad at inabandonang miyembro ng LGBT community. Nais din nating silang bigyan ng kasanayang pangkabuhayan at bagong pagkakataon upang may pagkakitaan,” Escudero pointed out.
(We do not only want to give shelter to the elderly and abandoned members of the LGBT community. We also want to provide them livelihood training and new opportunities for earning.)