ILOILO City — A proposed declaration of Iloilo City as a “Human Rights City” is facing scrutiny from a consumer advocacy group, which warned that persistent livelihood and civil liberties issues must first be resolved before any formal recognition is granted.
The Panay Consumers Alliance (PCA), a network advocating for consumer welfare in Panay Island, welcomed the vision raised by Mayor Raisa Treñas and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), but stressed that the designation must be anchored on concrete realities on the ground.
Ilonggos and the Filipino people deserve to live in a society that upholds human rights, including consumer rights such as affordable goods, accessible services, and participation in decision-making, according to Irma Espinosa and Samantha Faye Herbolario, convenors of the Panay Consumers Alliance.
However, the group emphasized that a “Human Rights City” must go beyond declarations and address conditions affecting vulnerable sectors, particularly those whose livelihoods are tied to the availability of basic goods and services.
Espinosa cited several pressing concerns that they said contradict the principles of a rights-based city.
Among these are alleged attacks on “bolanteros” or ambulant vendors, who have reportedly been displaced due to “market privatization”.
The group alleges that these vendors face harassment, clearing operations, confiscation of goods, and are limited to selling only once a week in designated markets.
“This not only violates their right to livelihood but also limits consumers’ access to low-cost goods,” Herbolario said.
The group also raised concerns over the impact of the Local Public Transport Route Plan on traditional jeepney drivers, noting that shortened routes and reduced income, along with withheld franchises, undermine drivers’ economic rights.
“This also affects commuters through less reliable and more costly public transportation,” Espinosa said.
In addition, the alliance criticized restrictions on the right to protest, particularly the requirement of permits even for short picket demonstrations.
“Requiring permits even for short picket protests contradicts and restricts the people’s right to collectively assert their calls,” Herbolario said, adding that such measures weaken the public’s ability to respond to urgent issues.
The alliance warned that these conditions reflect a broader pattern where people’s rights and welfare are treated as secondary to corporate or security interests, resulting in higher costs, reduced access to essential services, and shrinking democratic spaces.
The group urged the CHR to conduct a thorough investigation into these and other alleged human rights violations before proceeding with any declaration.
“We strongly urge the Commission on Human Rights to thoroughly investigate the aforementioned and related violations of human rights before issuing any declaration,” Espinosa and Herbolario said.
They noted that complaints from various sectors have already been filed and must be addressed first.
The group stressed that recognition as a Human Rights City must be earned through concrete actions, including protecting the livelihood of small vendors, drivers, and informal workers, ensuring accessible and affordable goods and services, and upholding the people’s right to assembly and freedom of expression.
“Without addressing these fundamental issues, any declaration risks being merely symbolic,” Espinosa said.
The Panay Consumers Alliance called on the Iloilo City Government to genuinely uphold human rights by promoting the rights of consumers and the working class, and ensuring that development policies serve the people./PN
