FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
307 
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Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Human rights are defined as the supreme inherent and inalienable rights 
to life, to dignity, and to self-development. It is concerned with issues in areas of 
civil, political rights, economic, social and cultural rights founded on 
internationally accepted human rights obligations to which the Philippine 
Government is state party. 
While it is commendable that more and more governments in the world 
are establishing human rights commissions, it remains a fact that the struggle for 
human rights is one which is waged and won by individual and groups who 
experienced being violated, and who fights to win back the rights that have been 
taken away from them. Human rights is a struggle at all fronts - in the factory, in 
sweatshops, on the streets, in the home, as well as in courts, in jails and 
detention centers, and in all places and situations where the dignity of he human 
person is imperiled. 
Although human rights are enshrined in the supreme law of the land, 
many of our people do not have access to basic information about such rights. 
More often than not, innocent people are convicted partly by reason of their 
ignorance of such human rights. 
This bill which seeks the establishments of the Barangay Human Rights 
Action Centers is an initiative towards the creation of a culture of human rights in 
our local communities, so that human rights violations may be prevented and 
human rights values may be promoted. The peasant who fights for his land, the 
factory worker who struggles for better wages, the woman or child who is 
abused, the indigenous cultural communities who are being uprooted from their 
ancestral land should find in the BHRAC a venue to make human rights 
protection a reality in the everyday life and struggle for the local community. 
In view hereof, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ESTRADA 
Senator 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
7 JllL -2 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARANGAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION CENTER IN 
EVERY BARANGAY IN THE COUNTRY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Human 
Rights Action Center (BHRAC) AcY‘. 
SEC 2. Role and Creafion of the Barangay Human Rights Action Center. 
There shall be established a Barangay Human Rights Action Center in every 
barangay in the country, amending for this purpose Book 111 on the Local 
Government Units of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
Government Code, by adding thereto another chapter to be known as: 
“Chapter I I  - The Barangay Human Rights Action Center“ 
The Center serves as the Human Rights Desk in the 
barangay to bring the services and programs of the Commission on 
Human Rights within the reach of the people, especially in the far- 
flung areas, and as a forum wherein the collective views on human 
rights of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered. 
The Center shall be manned by a Barangay Human Rights Action 
Officer (BHRAO). 
SEC 3. Manner of Creation. The BHRAO shall be established by a 
resolution approved by the Sangguniang Barangay and the BHRAO shall be 
chosen or appointed by the Barangay Assembly called for the purpose by the 
Punong Barangay by a majority of those present. The voting shall be supervised 
by the CitylMunicipal Local government Operations Officer and as a 
representative of the Regional Office andlor sub-office of the Commission on 
Human Rights where the barangay is located. The position of the BHRAO is 
non-political and independent and no elective or appointive or employee of the 
Government can be chosen as BHRAO. 
SEC 4. Qualifications of the Barangay Human Rights Action Center. A 
person shall be appointed Barangay Human Rights Action Officer if he is: 


a) At least 21 years of age; 
b) A high school graduate; 
c) Of proven integrity; and 
d) Committed to the cause of human rights 
SEC 5. Tenure and Removal form Office of the BHRAO. The BHRAO 
duly chosen by the Barangay Assembly shall serve for a term of five (5) years 
without re-appointment, unless sooner removed by the Barangay Assembly for 
causes provided for by law, or by reason of death or resignation. 
SEC 6. 
Supervision. 
The Commission on Human Rights shall 
immediately after the approval of this Act prepare and provide the Barangay with 
the implementing rules, guidelines and regulation necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. In coordination with the Barangay, the Commission on 
Human Rights shall supervise the operations and activities of the BHRAO. 
SEC 7. Technical Assistance. The Commission on Human Rights shall 
provide technical assistance in the training of the BHRAOs and whenever 
possible, provide the barangay with pertinent materials. 
SEC 8. Funding. This Act shall be initially implemented within the 
framework of the funds of the Barangay. As far as practicable, the funds 
required therefore shall be drawn available funds of the city, municipal or 
provincial governments, and from appropriation of the Department of Interior and 
Local Government (DILG) for training and program planning. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the budget of the Commission on Human Rights in 
the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC 9. Effectivify. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,