18. Compliance with required documentary requisites for the Halaws to ensure the legality of their stay so as to prevent arrest and deportation was also raised; 19. Issues regarding the rights of some IPs in relation to their ancestral domain remained unresolved and the significance of cultural sensitivity was also noted; 20. For human rights defenders, there were expressions of alarms over the lack of support to human rights advocacies and threats and risks to human rights advocates. 21. Promotional activities of the region have been affected by the pandemic as social and crowd gatherings are being discouraged. Thus, exploration of other means such as online platforms is being encouraged. Nonetheless, the issue as to its proper mode of procurement, particularly of ZOOM, to avoid COA findings, have not been resolved to this date. IV. Assessments, Findings and Conclusions Despite the regional office’s conduct of information campaign, rendering of appropriate legal advice, timely investigation and resolution of cases, human rights violations still persist. It is even more alarming that abuse and violence can happen within the confines of a home during lockdown amidst the Covid 19 outbreak where access to justice becomes even more difficult. Domestic abuse is still manifest among several families. Women and children suffer physically and psychologically. IDPs are continually undergoing problems on their current situation. PWDs and Senior Citizens had been subjects of human rights violations. Persons Deprived of Liberty also suffered from inhuman conditions in jail cells. IPs are still facing unresolved issues in relation to their right to ancestral domain. Migrant workers still face arrest and deportation and Human Rights Defenders lacked the protection and support. Witnesses in EJK cases also hesitate to come forward due to lack of protection and fear of reprisals. Hence, greater efforts must be exerted to educate the public of the rights of these sectors, to educate them of the remedies afforded to them by law and to continuously seek for the support from all stakeholders to protect and promote their rights. Further, it is deemed important to strengthen our linkages and to come up with certain policies and processes that will affirm the promotion and protection of human rights in consonance with the Commission’s mandate. V. Recommendations On the basis of the overall assessment of the HR situation in the region, it is hereby recommended that: 1. CHR 9 will explore other means in the conduct of its promotional function particularly to ensure that the public will be informed of human rights and human rights laws; 2. CHR 9 will likewise strengthen its protection function through its hotline and through the PACD referral mechanism; 3. CHR 9 will continually seek for support from the central office particularly for services necessary in cases of physical and psychological abuse such as the services of medicolegal officers, psychologists and psychiatrists. 12 12