26 2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines and 37,556 via sea transport (sea travel from 27 April to 21 August).116 64 In documenting migrant workers’ cases and concerns, the CHR’s Citizens’ Help and Assistance Division (CHAD) received and referred 38 cases to concerned authorities from 5 March to 18 September 2020.117 65 The programmatic relationship between the CHR and UP Law, through OLA, hopes to accomplish two objectives at once: First is the mitigation or preemption of human rights abuses or violations through the rendering of quick legal advice to (potential) victims and/ or violators; second is the enhancement of the experience of our legal interns in publicinterest lawyering. 66 This [E-Lawyering] project primarily intends to provide real-time legal advice to our citizens through the use of smart technology. Through this simple but innovative partnership, we hope to address, if not pre-empt, at least some human rights violations by the government or abuses by private parties, especially against the poor and vulnerable sectors of our society (Opening Remarks, Launching of HRELS, 10 December 2020). 67 The CHR acknowledges the efforts of the Philippine Government to address the COVID-19 pandemic and directs particular attention to the plight of OFWs and their families during this time. In its analysis, the CHR highlighted that the International Labor Organization estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected a total number of 2.7 billion workers or around 81% of the world’s workforce. Lockdowns and related business disruptions, travel restrictions, and other containment measures had a drastic impact on workers and enterprises. Rights of Farmers and Fisherfolks During the COVID-19 Pandemic 68 In its statement last 22 April 2020, the CHR recognizes that the quarantine and lockdown protocols have greatly impacted the ability of farmers and fisherfolks to sell their products, even though the government has ensured unhampered distribution of their products. Farmers in the Mountain Province, for instance, had to throw their harvest as no buyers were able to procure them. Lockdown measures have also limited their ability to tend to their farms due to the limited time and the low price of palay (unhusked rice) has continued to worsen due to the pandemic and the Rice Tariffication Law. In another instance, 116 Department of Transportation https://dotr.gov.ph/55-dotrnews/2184-in-response-to-the-call-of-president-rodrigoroa-duterte-to-send-our-ofws-back-to-their-provinces-the-department-of-transportation-joins-the-national-taskforce-for-COVID-19-and-concerned-government-agencies-in-establishing-the-hatid-tulong-program-to-assist-andtransport-our-stranded-ofws-in-metro-manila-back-to-their-respective-provinces-13.html, accessed 25 September 2020. 117 See 10-07-2020_CHAD OFW Endorsements_Final.