From the Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales message Ts Commission on Human Rights is primarily mandated by the Constitution to investigate violations of c ivil and political rights. Yet, through the years, we witnessed how violations of civil and political rights are inextricably linked to violations of economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR). As a matter of fact, disregard or sheer neglect for the most basic of these ESCR are the root causes of the long-standing armed conflict in Mindanao, the continuing insurgency problem, and our slow, non-inclusive socio-econamic development. It is in this context that the Commission conducts investigative monitoring of the government's compliance or non-compliance with ESCR, While civil and political rights are its primary concern, the Commission should not be limited to them, but rather maximize its powers is not and and resources to be able to comprehensively monitor the entire spectrum of human rights, including ESCR. After all, human rights are indivisible —the violation of one violates all the other. Comprehensive monitoring, however, is not the sole responsibility of the Commission. We neither have the resources northe necessary manpower to effectively and efficiently do it. To realize the lofty goal of comprehensive monitoring, multi-stakeholder collaboration is not only desirable and practical, but is absolutely necessary. This is where publications such as this, The United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Treaty Series, become crucial. : This publication is the first of its kind from the Commission. it seeks to achieve at least four (4) objectives: 1) Popularize ESCR by drawing on the international norms and standards; 2) Identify duties and the corresponding responsible government agencies; 3) Disseminate information on the procedures, guidelines and forms for reporting; and 4) Empower all stakeholders in the implementation of ESCR, monitoring them, and following up. It is hoped that this publication will be of help to the government in meeting its reportorial obligations under the Convention. Regular reporting does not only make the Philippines compliant to reportorial obligations it voluntarily entered into, it also allows us to establish baselines and benchmarks which will inform us in tracking our progress in improving the lives of our people. It is also hoped that this publication will encourage all stakeholders to participate in the process of implementarion, monitoring, reporting and follow up of ESCR. But more than just the regular reports and comprehensive monitoring, the real challenge is how to make sure that they will result in the direct and actual improvement of lives of our people. Towards this end, the Commission on Human Rights offers this publication as its humble contribution to our common struggle for the realization of human rights.