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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARANGAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION CENTER IN 
EVERY BARANGAY IN THE COUNTRY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his 
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7, KJV).  
It is submitted that there is no other right more precious than the human right 
to life, as God Himself formed man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. 
Human rights are defined as the supreme inherent and inalienable rights to life, 
dignity, and 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 a state party. It is 
even enshrined in our highest law of the land, the 1987 Constitution, that the State 
shall value the dignity of every person and guarantee full respect for human rights.1 
Thus, the state has an obligation to protect and preserve human rights for the sake of 
the present and for the generations yet unborn. 
In pursuance of this constitutional mandate, the local government units at the 
level of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays are mandated to create, 
among others, the Human Rights Committee as one of the standing committees of 
their respective Sanggunian.2 The Committee is mandated to develop local policies 
and legislation that will address issues on human rights, the rule of law, and access 
to justice. Being the smallest local government unit, the barangay is in fact the 
government's front-line force in the local community's defense and safeguarding of 
human rights. Having Barangay Human Rights Action Center (BHRAC) across the 
country will give ordinary people the ability to take the initiative in advancing and 
defending human rights.  
1 Art. II, Sec. 1 1987 Philippine Constitution. 
2 Sec. 50, Local Governtment Code. 
August 5, 2025
12:07 pm
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In doing so, it guarantees the inclusion of human rights, the rule of law, and 
access to justice in local legislative and executive acts, as well as raising public 
awareness of human rights. Moreover, BHRAC will guide in understanding and 
using these supreme inherent and inalienable rights when needed, especially for 
those who are at the grassroots level.  
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of the instant bill is earnestly sought. 
BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill  No._____ 
Introduced by: Congressman BIENVENIDO M. ABANTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A BARANGAY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION CENTER IN 
EVERY BARANGAY IN THE COUNTRY 
Be 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) Act of 2025.” 
SEC. 2. Role and Creation 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 III 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 XI - 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 the human rights of the people may be expressed, crystallized, and considered. 
The Center shall be manned by the 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 
City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officer and as a representative of the 
Regional Office and/or 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.  
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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) Once elected, s/he must not engage in partisan political activities; 
c) Of proven integrity, and  
d) Committed to the cause of Human Rights  
 
SEC. 5. Tenure and removal from 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 
by the preceding section, or by reason of death or resignation.  
 
SEC. 6. Removal from Office. The following are the grounds for removal of a 
BHRAO from office: 
 
a) Violation of human rights; 
b) Loss of Confidence, and 
c) Non-performance of functions. 
 
SEC. 7. 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 regulations necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this Act. In coordination with the Barangay, the Commission on 
Human Rights shall supervise the operation and activities of the BHRAO. 
 
SEC. 8. Technical Assistance. The Commission on Human Rights, jointly with 
the National Youth Commission, shall provide technical assistance in the training of 
the BHRAOs and, whenever possible, provide the barangay with training, seminars, 
and pertinent materials.  
 
SEC. 9. Legal Assistance. The Commission on Human Rights shall render legal 
advice on matters involving questions of law and help them to keep abreast with 
recent jurisprudence, both on substantive and procedural matters, to the BHRAOs in 
the exercise of their functions as the voice of the voiceless and advocate of human 
rights at the barangay level. 
 
SEC. 10. Appropriation. 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 from available funds of the city, municipal, or provincial 
governments, and from the 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 Appropriation Act.  
 


 
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SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, contrary to or inconsistent with 
this Act are hereby modified, amended, or repealed accordingly. 
 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall be effective after fifteen (15) days from 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
 
Approved,