CHR gets zero capital outlay in proposed 2027 budget 

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) received zero capital outlay in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), as well as a drastic reduction in its proposed budget.

The CHR had originally proposed a budget of P2.74 billion, which was finalized at P1.27 billion in the NEP, the nominated budget of the executive branch. CHR chairperson Richard Palpal-latoc said that this was a 53% reduction from what the agency wanted.

“Bagama't zero po yung aming capital outlay, patuloy pa rin naman po ang komisyon sa pagtupad sa kanyang tungkulin at mandato. Gayunpaman, dahil wala pong allocation for the capital outlay, maapektuhan ang aming serbisyo in terms of ICT (Information and communications technology), yung aming mga infrastructure facilities, workplace, so of course kailangan ng aming mga empleyado ng maayos na workplaces, lalong-lalo na yung mga regional offices, yun po maapektuhan po siya,” Palpal-latoc said.

(Even if our capital outlay is zero, the commission will still carry out its duty and mandate. But because there is no allocation for the capital outlay, our services will be affected in terms of ICT, our infrastructure facilities, workplace; so of course, our employees need proper workplaces, especially in our regional offices, that could be affected.)

The capital outlay is the budget used for the purchase of long-term goods and services.

House lawmakers in the Committee on Appropriations lamented the reduction.

“Ang budget ang pinaka-concrete expression of priority and in this case, given the massive cut in the proposed and the actual NEP proposed budget, mukhang hindi talaga priority ng administrasyong into ang human rights,” Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said.

(The budget is the most concrete expression of priority and in this case, given the massive cut in the proposed and the actual NEP proposed budget, it looks like human rights is not a priority for this administration.)

Cendaña also raised that the CHR was asking for an additional budget outside the NEP to pay job order personnel.

Palpal-latoc said that the CHR would still be able to pay these workers, but it would take away money from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses. This would impact the operating expenses. Instead of the budget going into regular activities, it goes to the payment of wages,

Cendana said that he will make the motion to restore the CHR’s budget to its full amount at the proper time. —LDF, GMA News