Filipinos are known for their resourcefulness, so the heads of a local Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office probably thought of everything they could do for money when news broke about the House of Representatives voting to only give their agency a budget of PHP1,0o0 (US$20) next year.
They first though of having the agency do laundry and sell street food like peanuts, fish balls and torta (fried anything).
Jess Cañete, head of the agency, took his frustration and disappointment on the slashing of their budget by preparing a menu of services which includes laundry and orasyon bisaya (quackery).
Cañete even practiced selling with vendors in their building.
While Cañete made light of the situation, the photos highlight the very serious consequences of defunding the agency protecting human rights.
“Yes, it is a form of sarcasm for their arrogance,” he said.
The revised proposals will next go through the Senate and the bicameral conference committee.
Senators have vowed to restore the agency’s budget.
For this year alone, the CHR has helped over 100 people in Negros Oriental and has filed 20 cases ranging from violence against women and children to extra-judicial killings.
Cañete expressed hopes that the Senate will be able to restore the full budget for their office.
Gov. Roel Degamo, meanwhile, expressed willingness to help fund the CHR in Negros Oriental from their treasury, saying the agency is vital in the province.
‘It is different here in Negros Oriental because CHR talks to the rebels to help the government,” he said.
with reports from ABS-CBN News
