c 
F 
M 
~~ 
enator Jinggoy 
ercito Estrad 
EXPLAN AT0 
Human rights is 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 waged and won by individual and groups who experienced being 
violated, and who fight 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 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 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 
corn rnun i t y . 
In view hereof, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
ClTQ ESTRaDA 
Senator 


E N A T E  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the Barangay Human Rights 
Action Center (BHRAC) Act. 
SECTION 2. 
ole and C ~ e a f j ~ n  
of the 
ighfs Acfion 
Center. - There shall be established a Barangay Human Rights Action Center in every 
barangay in the country, amending for this purpose Book I l l  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: 
"Cha'pter II. -The Barangay Human Rights Action Center" 
The Center serves as the human Rights Desk in the barangray 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). 


SECTION 3. 
nner of Creation. - The BHRAC 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 a representatives of the Regional Office and/or sub- 
Office of the Commission on human Rights where the Barangay is located. The 
position of the BHRAO us non-political and independent and no elective or appointive or 
employee of the Government can be chosen s BHRAO. 
SECTION 4. Qualific 
~ r a n g ~ y  
Human Rights Action Officer. - 
No person shall be appointed Barangay Human Rights Action Officer 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 
SECTION 5. Tenure and ernoval form 
HRAQ. - 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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 the pertinent materials. 


I 
SECTION 8. unding. - 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. 
SECTION 9. 
ctivify. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (I 
5) days from 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.