THE Bacolod City Council approved on first reading an ordinance making mandating the creation of the committee on human rights in every Sangguniang Pambarangay in the city.
The ordinance was authored by Councilor Renecito Novero, chairperson of the City Council committee on human rights.
Novero said the barangay as the basic political unit of the Philippine Government is the foundational cradle for instilling moral conviction and practical observance of full respect for human rights among its citizens.
He said there are still barangays in the city which do not have a committee on human rights in their Sangguniang Pambarangay.
Novero noted that Section 11, Article II of the Philippine constitution provides the state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
Novero said this ordinance shall be called in brief as the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) Ordinance of Bacolod.
He said there shall be created a committee on human rights in every Sangguniang Pambarangay composed of a chairman as its head and such number of members as the internal rules of each barangay may provide.
“Insofar as it may not collide with the functions of other committees in the barangay but without necessarily preluding a collaborative action thereon, the CHR shall address all issues which involve promotion, protection and violation of basic human rights as provided for in Article II and other pertinent provisions of the Philippine Constitution as well as any other matter necessarily related thereto,” he added.*