Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr.
Secretary

This National Human Rights Consciousness Week 2023, the DILG believes that the foundation of a strong, progressive, and resilient republic is the protection and promotion of human rights.

Respecting human rights means providing the people’s right to government services, justice, and protection from any harm, and enjoying their freedoms and liberties.

Without respect for human rights, we can’t achieve lasting peace and genuine development.

With the theme “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All” (Dignidad, Kalayaan, at Katarungan Para sa Lahat), let us celebrate this global effort of upholding, protecting, and promoting human rights as this serves as the most basic of all prerequisites for meaningful nation-building.

We enjoin all our local chief executives (LCEs) to hold relevant activities in support of the Human Rights Week to help their constituents have a better understanding of human rights through seminars, symposia, and other similar activities depicting this year’s theme.

In the same vein, we also appeal to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to enforce human rights-based policing. Show respect and appreciation for human rights through comprehensive, systematic, and institutional compliance with international human rights standards and practices in the realm of law enforcement.

Patuloy tayong manindigan sa mandato ng pamahalaan na maging tagapagbantay at tagapagtaguyod ng karapatang pantao ng bawat Pilipino, anumang edad, kasarian, relihiyon, o antas ng pamumuhay.

Kaisa ng pamahalaan at iba pang sektor ng lipunan, patuloy tayong kumilos at magkaisa para sa isang Bagong Pilipinas na may dignidad, malaya at makatarungan para sa lahat.