CHR: Unreleased financial aid for victims still intact as processing improved

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday said unreleased funds for victims of human rights violations are still intact and assured the public that it has heeded state auditors’ recommendations to improve its processing of financial aid.

The Commission on Audit (COA) earlier told the CHR to enhance its processing of aid after 60% of beneficiaries had not yet received what they were due.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said that there were challenges in determining the contact information of victims who “moved to another residence without informing CHR out of fear for their own safety” and delays in the submission of documents.

“We assure the public that corrective measures are already being implemented for situations within our control… Processes and fund programming have been refined, as also advised by COA, to increase the number of beneficiaries,” she said.

“We stress that the fund for the unreleased financial assistance is also intact and just waiting to be released once requirements have been met,” she added.

De Guia also encouraged beneficiaries to go to CHR offices to claim their financial assistance.

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

“In the larger view, this challenge faced by CHR in releasing financial assistance equally speaks of the climate of impunity and fear that we need to confront and address,” de Guia said. — DVM, GMA News