Community-based Dialogues Project (CBD)
2nd CBD Regional Institutionalization-Localization Workshop held
HSF
It was a successful 2-day activity which brought together a total of fifty-nine (59) participants mostly Human Rights Officers (HROs) from the AFP (31 senior and junior officers from the Central Command and 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and its corresponding brigades and battalions), the PNP (7 senior officers from the Police Regional Office 8) and CHR (3 comprising of the OIC Regional Director and senior officer from the Regional Office, and a representative from the Central Office), as well as Human Rights Defenders/advocates from CSOs (10 from Leyte and Eastern Samar) and key government agencies (a senior officer from NEDA Region 8 and LGU “Kagawad” (barangay councilor) cum CSO member). Also present were members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) from the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), AFP Human Rights Office (HRO), CHR and the Hanns Seidel Foundation/Germany (HSF).
For the period 2017-2019, which is the 4th phase of the project, it shall be focusing on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR). The first three phases of the project covered Civil and Political Rights (CPR). In support of the goal which is to enhance the relationship between security forces and civilians through dialogue, the objective of the current phase is to take on the challenge to push it further at the local level with an expanded focus on ESCR. It will work for the active involvement of Human Rights Officers (AFP, PNP) and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in strengthening the CBD mechanism, i.e., deepening dialogues in the future (at regional, provincial, city or municipal level) as well as to nurture the cooperation towards addressing and/or resolving issues on the ground.
HSF
For the current project phase, it shall give emphasis on the security forces’ role and possible involvement in conflicts related to ESCR more than the latter’s implementation or resolution of issues. The presentations and discussions revolve around the (i) human rights programs of AFP and PNP, CHR and CSOs with focus on ESCR; (ii) identification of major issues and concerns on human rights promotion and protection with focus on ESCR; (iii) roles of the AFP and PNP HROs; (iv) CHR’s resolution on the project and continuing advocacy of HRDs; (v) dialogue proper to discuss key issues, effects of these issues on the relationship between the AFP/PNP and the communities, and recommendations on concrete actions for the promotion and protection of human rights in the region; and (vi) planning for next steps (concrete activities using local resources and participation of other stakeholders – LGU, academe, private sector). In addition, an overview of the project including its accomplishments for the last nine (9) years, and orientation on the dialogue session (principles and guidelines) were shared by Atty. Marlon Manuel, National Coordinator of the ALG (lead implementing partner).
HSF
The plans for follow-up activities in the future were presented and discussed in plenary for comments and/or additional inputs from the group. Multi-sectoral core groups representing the project partners from the different provinces in the region were also identified. Finally, the reporting, monitoring and evaluation component of the project was discussed as an important component of the project.
The next workshop will be held in Iloilo City in the first week of June 2017 covering Central and Western Visayas.