UNITED NATIONS
E
Distr.
GENERAL
Economic and Social Council
E/C.12/PHL/CO/4
1 December 2008
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL
AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
Forty-first session
Geneva, 3-21 November 2008
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE
COVENANT
PHILIPPINES
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS
1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the combined second to fourth periodic reports of the
Philippines on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/PHL/4) at its 39th,
40th and 41st meetings, held on 11 and 12 November 2008 (E/C.12/2008/SR.39-41), and adopted, at its 56th meeting held on 21
November 2008, the following concluding observations.
A.
Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the combined second to fourth periodic reports of the Philippines, which was
generally prepared in conformity with the Committee’s guidelines, but regrets the 11-year delay in its submission. The Committee also
welcomes the written replies to its list of issues (E/C.12/PHL/Q/4/Add.1), and the open and constructive dialogue with the delegation
of the State party, which included representatives of various government departments with expertise on the subjects covered by the
Covenant.
3.
GE.08-45617
The Committee notes with appreciation the participation of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) in the
dialogue with the State party, and welcomes the oral presentation made by its chairperson during the consideration of the report.
B.
Positive aspects
4. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party has ratified, or acceded to, all United Nations core human rights