The Marcos administration is touting what it calls “concrete gains” in its human rights agenda, citing institutional reforms and international recognition as evidence that its efforts are yielding measurable results.

During the 4th meeting of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination (SCHRC) held on October 8, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Undersecretary Severo Catura of the Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat presented a progress report detailing improvements across justice, migrant protection, and police accountability.

“These are key developments in domestic reforms and institutional strengthening that demonstrate the government’s commitment to advance human rights in the country,” Catura said, noting alignment with United Nations engagements and the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan.

The Department of Justice trained over 600 human rights officers and processed more than 25,000 records of persons deprived of liberty to accelerate jail decongestion.

The Department of Migrant Workers secured a USD 500 minimum wage for domestic helpers and achieved a 92.15% takedown rate of over 49,000 online posts** linked to trafficking and illegal recruitment.

The Department of Foreign Affairs celebrated two major milestones: the **global adoption of the Manila Declaration on Seafarers’ Human Rights and the Philippines’ removal from the UN list of countries associated with child soldiers.

Police reforms included the rollout of uniform logbooks and digital tracking systems to prevent custodial abuse, while the Anti-Terrorism Council trained 174 civil-military officers on rights-based counterterrorism protocols.

Other agencies reported progress in areas such as drug policy, disability inclusion, labor protection, climate change, and social security. The Presidential Legislative Liaison Office also urged Congress to expedite the passage of priority human rights legislation.

The meeting featured engagements with the Commission on Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Office, the EU Delegation, Amnesty International, and civil society groups—signaling a collaborative approach to reform.

As the government continues to face scrutiny over its human rights record, these developments are being positioned as proof that reforms are not merely symbolic but are producing tangible outcomes. (PNA)