The Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology opened its Human Rights Consciousness Week observance on December 1 with a half-day convocation at the Founder’s Hall. The program followed the national call to reaffirm the place of human rights in daily life and engaged students, faculty, and staff through messages from academic leaders, intermission performances, and a formal recognition of Latin honorees. SPAMAST President Lynette A. Bontia, in her address, underscored the responsibility of higher education institutions to strengthen awareness and to cultivate an environment where dignity guides individual and collective conduct.
The second part of the program centered on the insights of invited speakers from government and legal service. Farhaana M. Faiz, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, explained how public institutions safeguard rights through policy, education, and community cooperation. Her message emphasized the need for accessible information, reliable local mechanisms, and steady civic participation. The launch of the Center for Human Rights Education served as a key moment in the event, establishing a platform meant to broaden training and discourse within SPAMAST.
The gathering concluded with acknowledgments from academic officials and a reminder that the study of rights is inseparable from everyday citizenship. The convocation aligned its purpose with global efforts under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions, along with related commitments under Goals 4 and 10 on education and reduced inequalities. Through this annual observance, SPAMAST reaffirmed its role in guiding students toward a deeper understanding of human rights as a shared and enduring responsibility.
