Prevention Services The prevention services are an integral part of and a component of CHR’s authority to realize international and domestic policy and the parallel courses of action as an NHRI. The services reinforce the core programs with distinct interventions within the preventive framework. It functions in conjunction with the key programs thus serving jointly through its prevention cluster towards fulfilling a unified system for the CHR to perform its many and diverse roles. Originally, the main tasks under the prevention services were to conduct jail visits including in places of deprivation of liberty (PODs) and render assistance to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). The description of the tasks assigned to prevention services has been recently further elaborated to include full program duties consisting of administration, operationalization, coordination and program development tasks at the level of the central office all the way to the regional units. A major addition to its functions is the proposed creation and establishment of National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and the task of taking charge of its operations. This will enable the CHR to perform its role as an Interim National Preventive Mechanism (INPM), while awaiting the creation of domestic law/s that support such mechanism. The NPMs are an upshot of the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OpCAT) ratified by the Philippine Senate in 2012. As a national body that will act as a provisional NPM, the CHR through its prevention cluster is task-bound to enable the treaty in the country. Under the NPM, the prevention services through the implementation of the prevention cluster, will institute and operate a jail visitation program, implement and manage a national preventive monitoring program including conducting regular monitoring (guided by a visitation plan), and prepare and submit the national reports on the situation of the PDLs and CHR recommendations for policy reforms. The reports containing the findings and recommendations will be shared with the proper national and international bodies/agencies for appropriate action. 7