The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed the European Union (EU) Ambassador HE Luc Véron and Spain Ambassador HE Miguel Utray Delgado for the inauguration of the new CHR Caraga Gender and Development (GAD) Learning Hall in Tiniwisan, Butuan City on June 19, 2024.
Located in the CHR’s Caraga Regional Office, the new facility will strengthen access to gender and human rights education and training. Like the Regional Office itself, which was inaugurated in 2020, the new Learning Hall has been set up with the financial support of the EU and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)’s GOJUST Human Rights programme.
The inauguration coincided with the Caraga region leg of CHR’s human rights education caravan, dubbed Lakbay Karapatan Tungo sa Kamalayan or “LaKarAn” (Human Rights Journey towards Consciousness). This nationwide outreach effort from the CHR is also being supported by GOJUST.
Commissioner Epres expressed heartfelt gratitude to EU and AECID, emphasizing the indispensable nature of collaborative efforts in advancing both human rights and GAD initiatives. “As the National Gender Ombud, the CHR has steadfastly placed GAD at the forefront of its priorities. The establishment of a dedicated space to fulfill this critical national developmental need represents a momentous achievement in the Commission’s continuous journey towards ensuring the full realization of gender rights for every Filipino,” Commissioner Epres said.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to continue partnering with the Commission on Human Rights’ to help ensure a fair and just society for all in the Philippines: a society in which human rights are universally respected, and women and girls are empowered to become whatever they envision”, explained European Union Ambassador Luc Véron.
CHR presented a Plaque of Appreciation to Ambassador Veron in recognition of his invaluable support and contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights in the Philippines during his tenure as Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Republic of the Philippines. His crucial role in ensuring the operations of an independent CHR through the support of the GOJUST program and the international community over the past few years was instrumental in strengthening the institution’s capacity and effectiveness.
Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado from Spain stated that, “I would like to welcome the CHR’s continued efforts to provide facilities that create a safe and favorable working environment to promote education and advocacy for gender equality in human rights.”
With the inauguration of Caraga’s new GAD Learning Hall, an investment totaling PHP 5 million, the Commission now proudly oversees nine regional offices and three supplementary facilities. Additionally, the construction of two new GAD Learning Halls in Legaspi City and Quezon City, along with two more regional office buildings situated in the Municipality of Alaminos and Davao City, is underway and set for completion in the coming months. These forthcoming facilities are poised to bolster the CHR’s capacity to deliver prompt, accessible, and responsive services to citizens residing in regions IV-A, IV-B, XI, and the National Capital Region.
