CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – The Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat (PHRCS), in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the UN OHCHR Country Team, continues to conduct public consultations to craft an inclusive and responsive 4th Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4) for 2024-2028.
In a joint regional consultation for Southern Luzon and Bicol Region held at Taal Vista Hotel, Tagaytay City on July 1-2, various government agencies and instrumentalities presented their action plans and initiatives as part of the creation of PHRP4, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the PNP-Human Rights Affairs Office (PNP-HRAO).
Non-government organizations,and civil society representatives from different sectors and communities likewise actively participated and gave insights on the observed human rights issues and concerns in the country.
According to PHRCS Undersecretary Severo Catura, the PHRP4 aims to present a holistic approach to human rights promotion, protection, and fulfillment focusing on various issues and concerns in the country. It reaffirms the State’s commitment to uphold and advance human rights as a priority of the Philippine government under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Among the raised issues and concerns during the consultation are civil and political rights, strengthening the rule of law, economic and social rights, empowering Filipino women and capacity-building for sustainability, opportunities for children, youth, and adults with disabilities, rights and freedom of Indigenous People, protecting migrant workers, preventing cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishments, humane acceptance and integration of Persons Deprived with Liberty, and the rights of LGBTQIA+ community members.
Catura said: “This is not only focused on the usual human rights issues, we are showing here that if we look at our participants, they come from various sectors. We are addressing what we call sectoral rights, meaning rights of women, children, people with disabilities, migrants, and migrant workers, as well as Indigenous People. Additionally, we also consider the essential human rights; education, health, labor, and employment. Our aim is to present holistic approach.”
For Larry Santos, Vice Chairman of the Binangonan Ondoy Solidarity Association and council member of the National Anti-Poverty Commission – Victims of Disasters and Calamities (NAPC-VDC), the consultations on human rights issues and concerns are a good way to monitor the content and concepts of PHRP4 closely. This also allows the public to raise current situations on the ground and coordinate effectively with the government.
“The government’s consultations on the Philippine Human Rights Plan are beneficial as they allow us to closely monitor its content and concepts. The VDC sector is always present in the community and it is continuously increasing, whether assistance is material or financial, our organization is often red-tagged. So, it is important for our sentiments and initiatives to be reflected in these working documents to ensure our critical cooperation with the government,” Santos said.
Succeeding consultations for the crafting PHRP4 will continue on July 15 to 16 for Iloilo City for Western and Eastern Visayas, July 29 to July 30 in Cebu City for Central Visayas, August 5 to August 6 in Davao City for Northern and Southern Mindanao, August 19 to August 20 in General Santos City for Central Mindanao, and September 2 to September 3 in Cotabato City for BARMM.
The plan is expected to be consolidated by September this year, undergo vetting with all organizations involved by October or November, and submit it to the Office of the President by December 10, in time for International Human Rights Day. (CO/PIA-4A)
