CH satellite offices mulled

CEBU, Philippines — To better address the needs of marginalized communities, the Commission on Human Rights in Central Visayas is eyeing to establish satellite offices in the municipalities across the region.

CHR-7 regional director Atty. Arvin A. Odron said these satellite offices will bring human rights services closer to vulnerable populations, many of whom are unaware of their rights or where to seek help when violations occur.

“Rather than the victims of human rights violations coming from remote barangays going to the regional office, we want to put up certain satellite offices,” said Odron.

This centralized setup creates challenges for victims in far-flung areas who must travel long distances to file complaints. However, CHR-7 admitted that efforts to secure funding have consistently been hampered and refused requests for reorganization.

Citing from the past, Odron said that since its establishment in 1987, the CHR has faced budget constraints, receiving less than P1 billion annually for nationwide operations.

For 2025, a P2 billion budget was proposed to the Congress, which could pave the way for satellite offices and Odron expressed gratitude to human rights champions in Congress and the Senate who advocate for the CHR’s mandate.

“I hope with this increased budget, we can now exercise our mandate with enhanced capacity or capabilities of our personnel so that we can empower all sectors in the community,” said Odron.

For the time being, CHR-7 works to promote human rights awareness down to the grassroots level by conducting outreach programs in barangays, local government sectors, and academic institutions.

“We focus on the youth because they are future leaders,” the director emphasized.

He highlighted efforts to instill principles of human dignity and human rights among young people. Moreover, director Odron also addressed common misconceptions about the commission.

“Many believe CHR is only for suspects or criminals, but that’s not true,” he clarified.

He explained that the CHR’s mandate encompasses protecting the rights of all individuals, including civilians, law enforcement officers, suspected criminals, and convicted felons.

“Every human being is entitled to human rights. It is wrong to think that criminals are not human beings or that they don’t deserve rights,” Odron added.

Odron also pointed out issues of discrimination and the importance of treating all individuals equally under the law. For him, it’s wrong notion to say that criminals are not human beings and that they are not entitled for human rights.

The regional director is optimistic about the future of their commission noting increased public awareness and legislative backing as key factors in strengthening the commission’s mandate. – /FPL (FREEMAN)