Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) made regional history as the first institution in the Negros Island Region to establish a Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE), following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on May 22, 2026 at the CHMSU Talisay (Main) Campus Function Hall.
The landmark MOA was signed between CHR Chairperson Atty. Richard Palpal-Latoc, represented during the ceremony by Commissioner Atty. Beda Epres, and CHMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Engr. Russel Dela Torre on behalf of President Norberto Mangulabnan.
(seated from left) CCJ Dean Purisima Romero, CAS Dean Arjay Alvarado, VP for Academic Affairs Engr. Russel Dela Torre, CHR Commissioner Atty. Beda Epres, CHR-NIR Officer-in-Charge Atty. Gazzelenne Corsame-Fuentes, and CIER Director Rhoderick Samonte sign the MOA establishing the Center for Human Rights Education in CHMSU. They were accompanied in the commemorative photo by CHR officials and staff, along with CHMSU faculty, staff, and students.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an photo
The agreement formalizes a partnership centered on building a sustainable culture of human rights through instruction, research, and community engagement.
Negotiated and facilitated by the Center for Internationalization and External Relations (CIER), the CHRE will be jointly hosted by CHMSU’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) – Social Science Program and the College of Criminal Justice (CCJ), positioning the university as a regional anchor for human rights education in NIR.
Commissioner Epres described the establishment of the CHRE as a milestone to be celebrated together and pledged the CHR’s full and wholehearted partnership, declaring that the agreement they signed is more than a document but a covenant.
“We envision the center as a hub where human rights are not merely discussed in theory, but are actively lived, taught, and practiced — a space where educators are capacitated, students are inspired, and communities are engaged in advancing respect for the dignity of every person,” the commissioner said.
Engr. Dela Torre affirmed CHMSU’s readiness for the collaboration, emphasizing that learning at the university goes beyond the walls of the classroom, and welcoming the new chapter the partnership with CHR represents.
CIER / Ethan Suelto & Vinice Abancio
The historic MOA signing was witnessed by CHR-NIR Officer-in-Charge Atty. Gazzelenne Corsame-Fuentes, CAS Dean Arjay Alvarado, CCJ Dean Purisima Romero, CIER Director Rhoderick Samonte. Also present during the ceremony were CHMSU officials, faculty, staff, students, CHR officials, and invited youth organizations.
Dean Alvarado and Dean Romero also affirmed CHMSU’s commitment to support the CHRE and the partnership with the commission.
Under the MOA, the CHRE is mandated to mainstream human rights in university curricula, conduct research, develop educational materials, and assist in establishing human rights action centers.
Following the ceremony, the #AkoBatayan – May Karapatan ang Kabataan sa kanilang Kinabukasan, was held and brought together students, faculty, government officials, and youth organizations from Talisay City and Negros Occidental.
It featured a series of forums covering topics ranging from Human Rights 101 and youth leadership to the electoral process with speakers from the National Youth Commission Western Visayas, Commission on Elections Negros Occidental, and CHR.
In his closing message, Director Samonte addressed the students directly, reminding them that understanding one’s rights and their limitations is foundational to becoming responsible and contributing citizens.
CIER / Ethan Suelto & Vinice Abancio
