On a move to strengthen the human rights in our community, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bauang, under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III, celebrated the International Human Rights Day through the program, “Democracy Forum on Human Rights,” on December 10, 2024 at the Bauang North Central School (BNCS) Sports Complex. It had the theme, “Our Rights. Our Future. Right Now.” The event was organized by the Office of the Vice Mayor Henry A. Bacurnay, Jr.

Present in the event were Sangguniang Bayan Members Hon. Danilo P. Abuan, Hon. Myrna U. Ligas, Hon. Veronica T. Bernardo, and Hon. Felix P. Sanchez.

The event was also graced by the following guests:

Atty. Harold Kub-aron, Regional Director for the Commission on Human Rights Region I,
Mr. John Michael R. Peralta, Training Specialist III, Department of Health Region I,
Ms. Kristine Sheila T. Amoroso, Regional Information Officer II, Department of Social and Welfare Development RO1, (not present)
Ms. Rica A. Perez, Education Program Supervisor, Department of Education, Region I, and
PLTCOL. Virgilio D. Cruz, Police Provincial Human Rights Affairs Office, La Union Provincial Police Office.

The 202 participants were composed of student leaders from the ten (10) different high schools in Bauang: eight (8) public high schools and two (2) private. Also present were 39 Kagawads from the different Barangays (Committee Chair on Human Rights).

Vice Mayor Bacurnay discussed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an important document created after the Second World War. It includes 30 articles that “recognizes the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family, which is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” (UDHR Preamble)

In Article 3, for example, the Declaration states that, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.”

LGU Bauang continues to look for more ways in upholding the human rights of all Bauangeños. Human rights should be upheld at all times in our community, as it protects the dignity of every person.

Written by: Korina Esteban-Ma