LGU-based Human Rights Program approved

Now is the time for the Department of Interior and Local Government to show its concern for the protection of human rights. If in the past it is solely the role of the Department of Social Welfare and Development or the Commission of Human Rights right now the office of Secretary Ronnie Puno is taking this concern seriously. The department is now active in ensuring that the rights of the general public are well-protected, and the office ensures that the aspirations of the minors are well attended as well.

As part of its job in taking care and the advancement of human rights, the department has introduced its Human Rights Program for the local level and this program is done in partnership with the Commission on Human Rights. This program has a simple intent; and that is to institutionalize the human rights and all programs in the local level. This new program for the local level was announced by DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero, and he said that the design and the implementation of this program were in support of the Administrative Order Number 249. Under this order that was signed by the President, there should be a better commitment to strengthen the human rights polices, plans and programs as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The office believes that for a program to be successful, and then the program should start at the local level or at the grass roots. And this is what they are doing right now with the Human Rights Program. And it is a good move to institutionalize and implement programs and policies in the local level.

The official unveiling if this said program was made at the Sulu Hotel in Quezon City. It is also the objective of this program to strengthen and to also improve the access of the general public to related programs and policies. And in the end, it can be expected that this program by the two government organizations can help in the promotion of human rights and also help in the crafting of necessary policies. As per the plan of the department, this new program is to be implemented in 119 cities in and around the country.