DFA Holds 3rd Diplomatic Briefing on Human Rights-Related Issues
From left: Health Undersecretary Lilibeth David, Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat Undersecretary Severo S. Catura, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo, Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Benjamin P. Reyes, Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III, and Office of the President—Special Projects Assistant Secretary Aurora Ignacio led the briefing of foreign missions in the Philippines at the Department of Foreign Affairs Home Office on 05 September 2018. (DFA photo)
MANILA 10 September 2018 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conducted its third diplomatic briefing for the year on human rights-related issues in the Philippines, on 05 September 2018 at the DFA Home Office in Pasay City.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo led the briefing with other representatives from government agencies present: Health Undersecretary Lilibeth David, Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat Undersecretary Severo S. Catura, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Undersecretaries Benjamin P. Reyes and Earl P. Saavedra, Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III; and Office of the President – Special Projects Assistant Secretary Aurora Ignacio.
In his opening remarks, Undersecretary Manalo highlighted the role of the Philippine government in the promotion of the rights of those who are the most vulnerable such as women, children and migrants, and the Philippine government’s implementation of human rights-based policies for these sectors.
The Undersecretary underscored that the strong participation of women in politics, education, and economy consistently makes the country a leader in gender equality and contributes to a resilient Philippine society.
He shared that the Philippines continues to promote the rights of women, and that the Philippines remains in the top 10 performers in the 2017 Gender Gap Index Report by the World Economic Forum.
“The Philippines also continues to increase its investments in children and to strengthen the policy environment with the passage of child-targeted and child-related laws under this administration, to ensure their survival, development, protection and participation,” Undersecretary Manalo further said.
The Undersecretary also highlighted the Philippines’ active participation in the negotiations for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which reflects the country’s commitment to the core international human rights convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
The foreign missions present were updated on the Philippines’ vision of a “Drug-Free Philippines by 2022” through the implementation of the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drug Strategy (PADS), rehabilitation efforts and activation of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).
The diplomatic briefing also highlighted the soft launch of the “155 Hotline,” which is a hotline that can be used by drug dependents or their families for admission to rehabilitation programs.
DDB Undersecretary Benjamin P. Reyes updated the missions of the DDB PADS and its role in strengthening national security, and the government’s plans towards attaining a drug-free Philippines. He welcomed international partnerships in the pursuit of such endeavors.
The diplomatic missions were also updated on the role of BADACs in ensuring accountability and addressing the drug menace at the grassroots level. Community-based rehabilitation programs were also introduced to the audience by the Health Undersecretary Lilibeth David.
The Presidential Communications Operations Office summed up the government’s overall efforts in curbing the drug problem in the country.
Foreign missions were able to raise comments and questions on current human rights-related issues. They expressed their appreciation for the DFA’s efforts to brief them on human rights-related issues.
The series of briefings which started in March 2018 and led by Undersecretary Manalo, aim to further strengthen the government’s constructive engagement with foreign counterparts, and update them on the country’s implementation of its international human rights commitments. END