Philippines Cites Major Strides in Human Rights Promotion in Dialogue with the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Geneva
Hon. Rosemarie Edillon, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and head of the Philippine delegation, delivers her opening statement at the Constructive Dialogue with the UN Committee on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the country’s 7th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), held on 18-19 February 2025, in Geneva.
GENEVA 24 February 2025 – The Philippines cited major strides and international leadership in human rights promotion at the Constructive Dialogue with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the country’s 7th periodic report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or ICESCR, held on 18-19 February 2025, in Geneva.
The Philippine delegation was headed by Hon. Rosemarie Edillon, Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and co-headed by Amb. Carlos D. Sorreta, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, and Undersecretary Severo S. Catura, Executive Director of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat.
The delegation underscored that the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aims to accelerate economic and social recovery toward a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.
During the review period from 2016 to 2021, normative frameworks were strengthened with the enactment of landmark legislation that upholds non-discrimination and addresses critical gaps in protecting vulnerable groups.
The government likewise implemented practical programs and initiatives for economic development, resilience building, and poverty reduction; protection of the welfare of workers, their right to freedom of association and right to organize; women’s economic empowerment; protection of children against child labor; social protection coverage for informal workers; promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipino workers; cultural preservation and digital inclusion; learning recovery continuity plan; combatting trafficking in persons; and promotion and protection of the economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The Philippines also highlighted the launching of the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (PHRP4) integrating human rights into national development efforts and prioritizing marginalized communities. Aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and AmBisyon Natin 2040, PHRP4 advances a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) to governance. It also enhances treaty body reporting and rights-based planning while reinforcing the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) through the National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD).
The delegation also put a spotlight on Philippine initiatives in the international arena, such as the landmark Human Rights Council Resolution on seafarers' rights and biennial United Nations General Assembly Resolution on Violence against Women Migrant Workers.
The 18-member Committee chaired by Ms. Laura-Maria Crăciunean-Tatu of Romania offered observations and asked questions on the Philippines’ compliance with obligations under ICESCR.
“This is the sixth treaty body report by the Philippines since 2022 following its constructive dialogue on the rights of the child, civil and political rights, migrant workers’ rights, the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The Philippines’ active engagement with the UN treaty body system reflects its strong commitment to its human rights obligations and the high importance it attaches to international norms-building and standard-setting”, PR Sorreta stated.
Joining the delegation were Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya of the National Security Council, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Secretary Sabuddin Abdurahim of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Executive Director Glenda Relova of the National Council on Disability Affairs and other officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice, Department of Education, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Presidential Human Rights CommitteeSecretariat, Dangerous Drugs Board, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The Philippines signed and ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights on 19 December 196and ratified it on 7 June 1974. Under Article 16 of the Covenant, States Parties undertake to submit reports on measures adopted and progress made in achieving the observance of the rights recognized under the Covenant. END
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