(L-R) CHR7 Legal Division Chief Euvic M. Ferrer, CHR-7 Director Arvin Odron, CHR-7 Legal Division Chief Euvic Ferrer, Talisay City Vice Mayor Richard Francis Aznar, and Talisay City College President Dr. Richel N. Bacaltos during the MOA signing of the establishment of the Center for Human Rights Education in Talisay City College on Feb. 20 in Cebu. (PIA7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region 7 has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Talisay City College (TCC) for the establishment of the Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) in Talisay City.
TCC is now the fourth university in Central Visayas to partner with CHR for CHRE, after the University of the Visayas, the University of Cebu, and the University of the Philippines-Cebu.
The CHRE aims to integrate human rights education into academic institutions, fostering a more informed and conscientious generation of professionals.
Lawyer Euvic M. Ferrer, CHR 7 Legal Division Chief, underscored the importance of producing graduates from higher education institutions who possess a strong awareness of human rights.
“We would like to see products of higher educational institutions who are aware and have a certain level of awareness on human rights. Therefore, when they’re employed, when they become business leaders themselves, or become leaders in their certain fields, they come into that kind of leadership with already an awareness of how they should deal with other people in the context or in the perspective of human rights,” Ferrer explained.
Ferrer highlighted that their goal of establishing CHREs is to create a “safe space for learners,” where the rights of women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized students in higher education institutions are protected.
Lawyer Arvin A. Odron, CHR 7 regional director, said the integration of human rights into the higher education curriculum serves as CHR’s pilot program.
He said the bureau’s ongoing efforts to partner with more institutions in Central Visayas, reinforcing the government’s obligation to uphold human rights.
“We’ve been looking for academic institutions of higher education actually because in the first place the protection of human rights pertains to the obligation of the government. We have been looking for government institutions being the primary protector of human rights and we’ve been looking for partners in Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bohol,” Odron said.
Following Talisay City College, Odron also mentioned that the University of San Carlos has expressed interest in collaborating with CHR to establish a human rights center on their campus.
Meanwhile, TCC president Dr. Richel N. Bacaltos said the establishment of a CHRE aligns with the institution’s advocacy and educational objectives.
“Noticeably at present, many tertiary institutions often prioritize industry demands, which, while pragmatic, may overshadow the higher purpose of education. Lest we be reminded that our mission as a learning institution extends beyond merely producing skilled employees; we must also cultivate values of equalities, respect, and justice in all social avenues and, more importantly, in our future generations,” Bacaltos stated.
As part of their partnership, CHR and TCC will collaborate on the establishment, development, strengthening, and sustained operation of the CHRE.
According to the agreement, the center must be housed in an office within the campus that is easily accessible to its clientele.
It should also have a designated center director or coordinator and a secretariat to oversee its operations.
The CHRE’s responsibilities include organizing volunteers, conducting training and accreditation with the regional CHR, developing and implementing human rights education programs, conducting research and special studies to enhance these programs, and assisting in the establishment and capacity-building of Barangay Human Rights Action Centers within its jurisdiction. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
