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On the Community-based Dialogues Project
CBD Region VI Core Group Strengthening and Institutionalizing Session Held in Iloilo

In line with sustaining the CBD regional core groups under the project “Community-based Dialogue Sessions on Human Rights Promotion and Protection between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and Civil Society Organizations and Local Communities” (CBD), a 1-day session on “Strengthening and Institutionalizing Community-based Dialogues” was held on March 15, 2019 in Iloilo City.

HSF

Region VI (Western Visayas) is one of three (3) focus areas of the project, aside from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Region X (Northern Mindanao).

Key members of the multi-sectoral core group participated in the activity, i.e., the Commission on Human Rights (Region VI), Armed Forces of the Philippines (301st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army), Philippine National Police (Regional Human Rights Affairs Office and Regional Specialized Training Unit) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) active in the region.  Other relevant stakeholders such as the National Economic and Development Authority (Region VI) and Provincial Planning and Development Officers (PPDO) from all six (6) provinces of Western Visayas were also engaged.

Relevant information were shared and there was a good/fruitful exchange of insights and ideas among the participants on how to further strengthen and institutionalize the CBD mechanism up to the barangay level.  Efforts to reach out to lower levels of government is noteworthy as a way to bring to the fore issues and concerns on human rights promotion and protection from the ground up.

HSF

The discussions covered updates on the previous action plans, expanding membership of the core group, creation of a “speakers’ bureau” for CBD information dissemination/advocacy work and trainers’ pool to facilitate multi-sectoral dialogue sessions and education/training activities, as well as the parameters for drafting of resolutions for submission to and consideration of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), respectively. NEDA also gave an orientation on the RDC process while the AFP shared information the E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program) for rebel returnees.

The CBD project is currently on its fourth phase (2017-2019) which aims to institutionalize the CBD mechanism at the local level.  In 2015, the CHR En-banc passed a resolution [CHR (V) No. AM 2015-108] in support of the CBD as local convenor. Further in 2018, it passed a supplemental resolution on the “CHRP Guidelines for the implementation of the Community-based Dialogues Project.” 

The CHR regional office serves as local lead convenor with the CSO (Process Foundation-Panay) as co-convenor, as agreed upon by the stakeholders.

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