In July 2024, Arvin Chua, a member of the Technical Assistance Ten of the GOJUST II-HR, delivered an inspiring speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Office XI in Davao, in the Philippines. Arvin Chua is an Expert on Planning, Monitoring and Research, Technical Assistance Team (TAT) Member, for GOJUST II-HR.
The GOJUST II-HR Project is the human rights component of the Governance in Justice II project which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and implemented by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) - the National Human Rights Institution of the Philippines. The €5Million project grant to the CHR includes the provision of monetary and in-kind technical assistance support, implemented through DT Global.
Attending the event were national and local government officials, including Davao City’s Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte’s representative: CHR Commissioner Hon. Atty. Beda A. Epres, Davao City Councilor Hon. Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula, Barangay Chair Hon. Mark Malaya O. Peregrino, CHR XI Regional Director - Atty. Junitte Rose F. Barroquillo, and DOST XI Assistant Regional Director Ms. Mirasol G. Domingo.
“My heart is full every time work leads me to the place I dearly love – the place that took away my Innocence and has shown me life’s realities” - Davao, Mindanao.
“Allow me to share with you a story that happened recently. I have a friend whom I have not seen for over two decades. He has been incarcerated for over a year now in one of the jails in the region. A few months ago, I was able to get in touch with him through the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) e-visit program that allows the use of video messenger as a communication platform.
“I shared with him some information on CHR’s services. I told him that chances are, he will find a CHR poster that provides information about available services and contact details. Production of these posters is supported by GJII-HR, which is why I remembered.
“Soon enough, my friend told me that days after his call, CHR Special Investigators Greichel Amacio, and Eliezer Castellano visited and consulted with him. The CHR personnel told him that a Human Rights Orientation for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) shall soon be conducted.
“CHR XI, thank you for being true to your mantra - CHR ng Lahat, Naglilingkod, Maging Sino Ka Man! (aka, Dignity for All!)
“That story is just one aspect of the humongous tasks that the CHR is mandated with - to promote and protect human rights, to advocate for policies, and to prevent human rights violations. The EU and the AECID have been among CHR’s strongest allies over the years, and presently they support CHR’s implementation of the GOJUST II-HR Project, through financial and technical assistance packages, thus my presence here as one of the members of the Technical Assistance Team.
“The GOJUST II-HR project’s purpose is to help strengthen the CHR and improve the delivery of services as part of its mandate. Simple, yet the work ahead looks daunting.
“Today marks another milestone for CHR, particularly CHR XI: the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of the new regional office building.
“The activity today, simple as it may seem, just like the posters I cited earlier, is one of the building blocks being laid down so that one day, the Filipino people may enjoy and claim their human rights with ease. But this shall still entail more of the steady hard work and dedication of the CHR workforce and their partners – yes, CHR officers, staff, and partners, we will continue to be counting on you.
“Henceforth, we continue to wish the CHR and its partners success and meaningful achievements.”
GOJUST II-HR is now in its third and final year of implementation and has unmistakably reaped gains for the CHR. Among the concrete outputs of the project is the construction and refurbishment of five regional office buildings: three have been completed, one is ongoing, and one will start construction soon.
