CHR told to enhance processing of aid for human rights violation victims

State auditors have urged the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to improve its processing of financial assistance totaling P2.63 million for victims of human rights violations after it noted that 60% of beneficiaries have not yet received aid.

In its 2020 audit report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said 174 out of 291 claimants with benefits totaling P183,000 have yet to receive assistance due to insufficient contact information or delayed requests for additional funds from the CHR’s central office.

Only 117 beneficiaries from Metro Manila, the Ilocos region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Soccsksargen have received aid totaling P1.83 million.

COA said the CHR should have “undertaken proper measures on the timely establishment” of the contact numbers and addresses of approved claimants as well as processed requests for additional funds “early on.”

“The benefits could have been given right away to the victims of human rights violations who were in dire need of financial assistance, thus, the purpose of the grants, that is timely humanitarian services from the government, is not defeated,” it said.

State auditors told the CHR to “enhance payment processing by gathering needed documents and contact information of beneficiaries” to ensure the timely release of financial assistance.

COA also recommended that the human rights body “study the trend on the number of applicants and probable beneficiaries so that timely request and programming of needed funding and processing of payments be made.”

Under the CHR’s Victims Financial Assistance Package, victims of human rights violations such as unjust imprisonment or detention, rape, or child abuse may receive anywhere from P2,000 to P30,000.—AOL, GMA News