Joseph Anthony Barroma Human Rights Law

Rizajane Pablico Pros. Julius Concepcion

David Israel Rivera
Glaiza Kaye Vicente
Irish Villamor

Philippine Report to the International Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
November 24, 2008

I. The objectives that the Philippines should attain in accordance with the covenant with
the International Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights are the
following:

a. To uplift and improve the economic well being of the Filipinos

b. To enhance their socio-cultural rights

II. The Philippines adopted the following measures:

a. The Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development, 1995-2005
b. The Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (R.A. 7877)
c. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 (R.A. 9208)
d. The Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (R. A. 9262)
e. The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (R. A. 8371)
f. The Free and Prior Informed Consent Guidelines, adopted by the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples in 2002, which emphasizes the right of
indigenous peoples to participate in the decisions affecting them
g. Executive Order 270-A, which aims at safeguarding the ecological integrity of
indigenous lands and resources from the negative impact of mining operations
h. Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995 (R.A. 8042)
i. Anti-Squatting Repeal Act of 1997 (R.A. 8358)

III. The groups comments on the measures adopted by the Philippines are the following:

a. The group felt disappointed that it took 11 years for the Philippines to submit its
report to the ICESCR.
b. At first the group was surprised that the Philippines even included in their reports
those measures they adopted to protect Filipino women and children as well as
their rights. We believe that we have other committees for those rights. But then
again perhaps it is only by adopting such measures will Filipino women and their
children enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights.
c. The Commission on Human Rights must include the protection of the economic,
social and cultural rights of the Filipinos and not just their civil and political
rights.
d. The Philippines must work well in its implementation of the Indigenous Peoples
Rights Act of 1997 (R. A. 8371) so that the indigenous people will enjoy their
rights over their ancestral domains, lands and natural resources well.
e. The Anti-Squatting Repeal Act of 1999 aims to decriminalize squatting. But for
the group it seems that squatting is a major problem in urban areas. It had even
caused environmental and hygienic problems. So perhaps the government must
adopt a measure to regulate squatting or at least prevent the problems squatting
are causing.