The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) says it would become more accessible to people in Mindanao as it unveiled its new building in Zamboanga City on Friday, March 1, 2024. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it would become more accessible to people in Mindanao as it unveiled its new building in Tumaga Porcentro, Zamboanga City on Friday.
CHR Chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said the building will help the body provide services to people in Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula, as well as boost their efforts to strengthen people’s awareness about their rights.
“It brings much enthusiasm to the CHR’s human resources, particularly in the regions, to work in a conducive place where the environment may be equivalent to their second home. Having their own building means giving them the pride and dignity to uphold their respective responsibilities as civil servants and human rights defenders,” he said.
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According to the CHR, the building will be used for human rights education, and the reporting of human rights violations.
“This also means making the CHR and its services more accessible and visible to the people,” he added.
The European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation helped fund the construction of the building under the latter’s GOJUST Human Rights program.
European Union (EU) Ambassador Luc Véron, Spain Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray, and Zamboanga Mayor John Dalipe joined CHR officials during the building’s inauguration.
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Véron said their support will enable Filipinos to live in a world that gives “dignity, opportunities, justice and fair treatment.”
“In the end, it is about enabling the Filipino citizens to live in a world, which offers dignity, opportunities, justice and fair treatment. By inaugurating this building today, we help to move the needle in this direction,” Véron said.
“[W]e have successfully supported a bridge-building between the society and the government for the human rights protection and promotion,” Utray added.
According to the EU, the building will house the ninth CHR regional office while two more buildings in San Pablo, Laguna, and Davao City are set to be completed.