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CHR appeals for additional allocation following 2021 budget cut


Commission on Human Rights appeals for additional funding

The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday asked the government for additional funding after its proposed P1.1-billion budget for 2021 was slashed by the Department of Budget and Management down to less than P900 million.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said the agency was only allocated P860,501,000 for next year.

Likewise, De Guia noted that the DBM had no additional "Tier 2" budget for CHR of P120 million in 2021, unlike this year, due to the government's needs for its COVID-19 response.

"Nauunawaan naman natin 'yon, 'yun 'yung naging pahayag ni Chair Chito Gascon kahapon [Tuesday] sa committee hearing na pinangunahan ni Senator Lacson, kaya lang umaasa tayo na sana dagdagan man lang 'yung budget ng CHR kahit doon man lang sa hinihingi nating P1.1 billion para hindi naman maantala 'yung mga serbisyo na kailangan naming ibigay sa publiko," De Guia said.

With a budget of P819,865,000 this 2020, the CHR also had its additional P120 million for its "special" or "recurring" projects, to fulfill its responsibilities with the Mental Health Act, Data Privacy Act, strengthening the Human Rights Observatory and to boost the investigation of human rights cases and legal caravan.

"A little bit misleading din po itong figures na ito kasi kasama na sa budget na ito 'yung pasweldo sa aming mga manpower, kasama na rin 'yung benepisyo ng mga nakaraan na commissioner... P306 million na lang ang natitira para sa aming operating expenses," De Guia said.

However, the P120 million is yet to be released this year to the agency.

Moreover, De Guia said the CHR is lobbying to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a treaty obligating different states to protect the rights of older and aging persons. She also said the commission is also urging both houses of Congress to take steps to protect the rights of senior citizens.

"Kaya po kahit anong dagdag ay makakatulong para mas magawa namin ang aming trabaho nang mapabuti," de Guia said.

Last year, the CHR had a total of 7,453 human rights cases for investigation and legal assistance.

During the time of the pandemic this year, CHR recorded at least 1,246 human rights cases. —LBG, GMA News

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