Naga City creates Human Rights Action Center

As the sponsor of the recently enacted ordinance and the head of the SP Committee on Human Rights, Councilor Jessie R. Albeus, DMD highlighted that NCHRAC principally seeks to “address [the] issues and concerns of human rights, the rule of law, and access to justice at the grassroots level.” The action center also aims to ensure the “accountability of local authorities in the promotion, protection, and full realization of all human rights, and in instilling greater public awareness on human rights.”

The ordinance indicated that NCHRAC will be created “in coordination with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), various associations, and leagues of local government functionaries.” Additionally, the HRAC will be stationed at the Office of the City Legal Officer, in conformity with the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 s. 2014 of the DILG and CHR.

Following Section C of the said DILG-CHR memorandum circular, the Naga City Human Rights Action Team (NCHRAcT) will be composed with the City Administrator as Chairperson and the City Legal Officer and SP Chairman for the Committee on Human Rights as Co-Chairpersons. Representatives from the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), and City Health Office (CHO), among others, will be the team’s members. 

As “an integral part of this ordinance,” the provisions in the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 s. 2014 will govern the implementation of its rules and guidelines, besides the provisions enshrined under Article 2, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution and Section 50(b) of the 1991 Local Government Code.

Any complainant who believes their human rights have been infringed may reach out to the NCHRAcT for legal assistance.

FB Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15hQEc2QU7/