Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has been urged to convene the technical working group that would draft the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to pave the way for the implementation of the anti-discrimination ordinance.
“We are imploring the kind indulgence of the city chief Executive Department to set into motion the drafting of the IRR of the ordinance,” Davao City Councilor Halila Sudagar in her privilege speech at the 18th regular session of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
According to Sudagar, the provisions in the ordinance mandate the convening of a technical working group that would create the IRR, and at the same time to convene the anti-discrimination mediation and consultation board.
“We would like to use the anti-discrimination ordinance as a remedy to address the concerns of our constituents,” Sudagar stressed.
The councilor pointed out that discrimination in the city is still rampant and the sectors affected would want the ordinance to be implemented.
She said this was not possible because of the absence of an IRR.
“The role of the city council is to remind and to follow-up with the executive department for the need to draft the IRR,” she remarked.
She noted that many lobby groups have visited her office and she had only advised them to wait for the approval of the executive branch.
“The Muslim sector is the most affected,” she said. She added that she had received complaints regarding Muslim job applicants who were refused of job applications because they were Muslim. She added that some industries require Muslim women to remove their hijab when working.
Most industries who lead this discrimination are malls and condominium units. She said that some malls do not accept Muslim applicants while some condominium units and other subdivisions reject prospective residents once they knew they were Muslim.
“There is also discrimination to women and the Lesbian-Gay- Bi-sexual and transgender community,” said Sudagar.
She assured the lobby groups and other sectors that the city council has been doing their best to discuss with the executive department regarding the urgent issue.