Northern Samar Approves Right To Care Ordinance: Residents Can Choose Healthcare Representatives

Posted on September 26, 2026 at 9:23 am

Tacloban City — Residents of Northern Samar may now name persons they trust to speak for them and make healthcare decisions if they become unable to do so.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved an ordinance institutionalizing the Right to Care initiative on the third and final reading during its regular session on September 10, the provincial government said.

The ordinance, authored by Board Member Emil Ongchuan II, makes Northern Samar the first province in Eastern Visayas and the fifth province in the country to adopt the initiative.

Under the ordinance, residents may designate a healthcare agent through a Right to Care Card. The person they choose may communicate their healthcare preferences and make decisions on their behalf if they can no longer communicate or decide for themselves, particularly during medical emergencies.

The provincial government said the measure is meant to give families and healthcare providers clearer guidance when a patient is unable to express what they want.

The person chosen does not have to be a relative. A resident may designate a family member, partner or another trusted person from their support network.

This provision may be important for people whose family arrangements do not fit the traditional setup, including solo parents, persons with disabilities, common-law partners, LGBTQIA+ individuals and senior citizens.

It may also help families whose loved ones are working or living away from home.

The Right to Care initiative was first introduced at the local government level by Quezon City, which launched its Right to Care Card in 2023 and later passed an ordinance to make the program permanent.

Cavite, Laguna and Ilocos Sur have since enacted similar ordinances. Cebu has also advanced the initiative through an executive order, while several cities have adopted related measures.

In Northern Samar, the ordinance followed public hearings and consultations with sectoral representatives, healthcare workers, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

The provincial government said their recommendations were considered in drafting the measure.

With the ordinance now in place, its implementation will include making residents aware of the Right to Care Card and ensuring that healthcare providers know how to recognize and act on a patient’s designation during an emergency.

Photo: The Vanguard