BUTUAN CITY – In time with the Stakeholders’ Awarding Ceremony spearheaded by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga, the local government unit of Butuan through Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, assured that no Butuanon will be deprived of their right to identity and nationality, and urged everyone to continue to respect and promote human rights.

On behalf of Vice Mayor Fortun, Councilor Cromwell Nortega, delivered his message and emphasized that people should be grateful that all are able to enjoy their right to life and liberty, the right to work and education, the right to an adequate standard of living, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion, religion, and expression, and so much more.

“Personally, I consider our growing recognition of the value of protecting the rights of every human being as part of the advancements of human civilization. That is to say, to violate and trample human rights is to step back to the ancient, crude, and barbaric times. We are fortunate that we now live at a time when policies, systems, structures, and processes to protect our rights are in place. And this is thanks to everyone – including you, our stakeholders, who have fought and championed for this cause,” he said.

Fortun stressed that with continued collaboration of various stakeholders in its advocacy to promote the protection of human rights, Butuanon could reach more milestones. “I was happy that when I joined Congress, more actors in the government and civil society had taken the same advocacy. In fact, through our partnership with them, we were able to pass a bill that would provide for a comprehensive civil registration system in the entire country. Although it did not get to see the light of day, I am comforted with the fact that it started serious discussions in the national legislature. And I am hopeful that by keeping this momentum, we will finally get the support of our policy-makers,” he elaborated.

“This is just one example on how we can cooperate to open windows for our human rights agenda. For us in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Butuan, with Honorable Cromwell Nortega, as the chairperson of the Committee on Good Government, Ethics, Human Rights, Laws, Rules, and Styles at the helm, we are more than open to work with you to pass local policies that will strengthen the promotion and promotion of human rights as the same is aligned with Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada’s vision for a livable and sustainable Butuan City,” added Fortun.

Meanwhile, Atty. Aurora Luanne Cembrano-Ramos, OIC-Regional Director of CHR Caraga, acknowledged all the participating sectors of the Stakeholders Awarding Ceremony, and 

"Human rights work is a noble work -- being able to serve people from all walks of life. This Stakeholders’ Recognition event is an affirmation that the CHR Caraga, through its regional office, recognizes and affirms the different government agencies and partners' efforts and initiatives in the highest degree for protecting and upholding human rights for everyone," she said.

Along with other awardees, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by Regional Director Venus Garcia, received a plaque of appreciation for the continuing partnership and unyielding support of the Agency which significantly contributed to CHR Caraga's human rights services in the region.

This is also in celebration of the 75th Declaration of Human Rights: Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All and as a culmination event of the 2022 National Human Rights Consciousness Week. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)