UP Manila Political Science Program

COMING UP: Collective Actions and Academic Freedom: Sharing Organizing and Mobilizing Experiences

📅 June 4, 2026 (Thursday)
⏰ 3:00 PM-5:15 PM (Philippine Standard Time)
💻 Via Zoom

Register here: https://bit.ly/4nOmVOu

The College of Arts and Sciences joins communities around the world in celebrating Pride Month, recognizing the diversity and richness of human experiences and reaffirming our commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and supportive academic community for all.

As part of this celebration and in line with our continuing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Department of Behavioral Sciences, through the Graduate Program in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science), in partnership with the Office of the Gender Program of the College of Arts and Sciences, will co-host the online forum “The Right to Care Act: Advancing Inclusive Health and Social Protection in the Philippines” this June (details will be announced soon).

The forum aims to provide a platform for meaningful discussions on the proposed Right to Care Act and its potential role in advancing the rights and welfare of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families in the Philippines. Specifically, the discussion will examine how the proposed legislation seeks to uphold the right of individuals to designate their chosen caregivers and decision-makers, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or family structure, particularly in matters involving healthcare, medical decision-making, and access to social protection.

As LGBTQIA+ communities face persistent barriers to securing equitable healthcare, legal recognition, and supportive social systems, the forum will also explore the broader social, legal, and public health implications of the proposed measure. By bringing together scholars, advocates, policymakers, health professionals, and members of civil society, the event seeks to foster informed dialogue on inclusive care systems, human rights, and policy reforms that contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable Philippine society.

Through this initiative, the College of Arts and Sciences reaffirms its support for evidence-based policymaking, social justice, and the promotion of human dignity for all, in the spirit of Pride Month and beyond.