The Human Rights Violation Victims’ Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) and the University of the Philippines (UP) announced in a meeting with Martial Law survivors their commitment to expedite the construction of the Freedom Memorial Museum at the UP Diliman campus, September 6.
“This initiative underscores their shared commitment to preserving the struggles of a people during the Martial Law era and, thus, honoring the victims of human rights violations,” the joint statement reads.
Both parties revealed that they will formally sign on September 27 the deed of transfer for the new offices and workshops of the UP Diliman Campus Maintenance Office (CMO).
“The transfer will pave the way for the clearing of old structures and start of construction at the future site of the Freedom Memorial Museum which will serve as a vital educational resource and a poignant reminder of our nation’s history,” they said.
UP has proposed a four-month timetable to demolish the existing structures and relocate the CMO and its equipment to new facilities built by the HRVVMC.
“The transfer timeframe had to consider the additional works needed to fit out the new campus maintenance offices and the period for procuring crane and forklift services for moving heavy machinery and tools,” Peckley said.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the Freedom Memorial Museum is also scheduled to take place by December this year.
The joint statement follows public discourse about delays in the project, stemming from comments by HRVVMC Executive Director Carmelo Victor Crisanto during a budget briefing before the House Committee on Appropriations, where he pointed to UP as the source of the delay in the museum’s construction.
Retired UP Professor Judy Taguiwalo, herself a Martial Law survivor, joined University and HRVVMC officials during the meeting. “The human rights victims of Martial Law, human rights defenders, and the UP community welcome this gesture of unity between the two institutions,” Taguiwalo said.
Several prominent figures and groups advocating for human rights and representing Martial Law victims also attended the meeting, including ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Partylist Representative Arlene Brosas, former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Satur Ocampo, UP Student Regent Francesca Duran, and Bantayog ng mga Bayani trustee Tina Bawagan.
Elderly survivors of Martial Law atrocities who attended the meeting expressed their eagerness to participate in both events. “We are looking forward to joining both milestone events just in case we will no longer be around for the opening of the museum,” they said.
The Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 mandates the establishment of a memorial, museum, or library “in honor and in memory of the victims of human rights violations” during the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
The law allocates at least P500 million from the accrued interest of the P10-billion reparation fund sourced from Marcos’ ill-gotten wealth which was forfeited in favor of the Philippine government. — with reports from Rex Espiritu