San Fernando as inclusive human rights city urged
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Student councils, youth organizations, educational stakeholders, and civil society groups on November 13, 2026 urged the local government to declare San Fernando an Inclusive Human Rights City through a formal city resolution.
In a joint statement, they called on the City Government of San Fernando, the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), national government agencies, and educational institutions to adopt policies that protect fundamental freedoms and improve public services. The groups stated that local government institutions have a responsibility to uphold the rights of all residents, particularly the youth and marginalized sectors.
They urge the protection of democratic rights, including freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and civic participation. The groups called for an immediate stop to red-tagging, political vilification, harassment, surveillance, and intimidation targeting students, human rights defenders, and civil society advocates. They also requested legal assistance, protection, and avenues for justice for victims of such practices.
The groups further asked the city government to strengthen safeguards against gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and discrimination in schools, workplaces, and public areas. They urged officials to establish confidential reporting mechanisms and provide support services for survivors, particularly women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
In terms of infrastructure and basic services, the groups demanded that public spaces, transportation, schools, and government buildings be made fully accessible to persons with disabilities. They also called for increased public funding for healthcare to improve community health centers, provide affordable essential medicines, and support medical workers.
For the education and environment sectors, the signatories requested funding for safe, climate-resilient school facilities, fair compensation for teachers and school staff, and expanded access to quality public education from primary to tertiary levels. They also urged the city to protect residents from pollution and destructive development projects, invest in disaster preparedness, and ensure access to clean water and proper sanitation.
To promote accountable governance, the coalition asked local officials to establish regular public consultations, ensure transparency in public spending, and create formal mechanisms for citizen monitoring and oversight.
They also encouraged the city to create an institutional human rights body with youth and civil society representation, implement a local human rights action plan with a dedicated budget, and conduct regular multisectoral consultations. The student and youth signatories also stated their commitment to promoting human rights education and civic participation across local communities.