This paper examines the anti-discrimination ordinance of Davao City enacted in 2012 and its effectiveness in line with the essential objective of the said ordinance to protect the marginalized groups in the city from, but not limited to, discrimination in any form such as discrimination based on gender, race, sexual orientation, color, ethnicity, and descent. Reviewing the government reports, literature, and academic research that are linked to this ordinance sheds light on the challenges, impacts, and gaps in its implementation process, especially in relation to the LGBTQIA++ community. To this end, challenges in gender-based discrimination are still persisting constraints. Ultimately, this study, through the systematic review of literature, contributes to the knowledge concerning local anti-discrimination policies and provides concrete recommendations to strengthen and enhance the effectiveness of similar existing ordinances.

Davao City; Philippines; gender; sexual orientation; anti-discrimination ordinance; policy review; marginalized groups