A/HRC/8/28 Page 14 benefit from social security in receiving countries. The Philippines has been cited by the International Labour Organization and the International Organization on Migration for having the best migration management system in the world. Regarding country visits by special procedures and reporting obligations, in the past, the country was dealing with the enhancement of human rights mechanisms at the national level and one of the measures was to strengthen the PHRC. Last year the preparation of the UPR process has also take much time. The Government shall be now in the position to better consider organizing visits. Regarding reporting obligations, the leading agency mechanism within the PHRC is keen to further improve the compliance of the Philippines with treaty body obligations. In January 2007, the Philippines submitted three reports, on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ICRMW, and on CAT. On human right education, the Philippines created a national human right education plan as part of the observance of its obligations related to the Human Rights Education Decade. On torture, the Philippines informed that the PHRC has recommended, just before leaving Manila for the UPR session, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. The strategy to fight against corruption includes the creation of an Office of the Ombudsman, the adoption of continuous trial, and the establishment of cases management and information system. 57. Finally, the Head of Delegation expressed hope that the Philippines had given a good and honest picture of the human rights situation in the country. The Philippines stated that it is today an open and vibrant democracy in which human rights are recognized, but most importantly, cherished, upheld and protected. Nonetheless, the delegate indicated that the Philippines is keenly aware of the challenges that it faces as a developing country and given its particular circumstances. He expressed the hope that as a result of the interactive dialogue more ways to collaborate to overcome these challenges and improve conditions on the ground may be found. The Philippines, in response to the recommendations made in a spirit of cooperation, immediately announced the following voluntary commitments: (a) to continue to develop a gender-responsive approach to issues on women and children, including in the judicial system, and on violence against women and children; (b) to continue to develop domestic legislation for further protection of the rights of the child; (c) to maintain the momentum on addressing killings of activists and media professionals; (d) to continue and find additional measures to answer the basic needs of the poor and other vulnerable sectors. The Philippines took the opportunity of this first session of the UPR to renew its commitment as a human rights defender to protect the rights of all its citizens, and to observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is marking its sixtieth anniversary. It hoped that the international community and the Human Rights Council will continue to assist through cooperation efforts and mechanisms. II. CONCLUSIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS 58. In the course of the discussion, the following recommendations were made to the Philippines: 1. To continue to develop a gender-responsive approach to issues of violence against women and continue to build supportive environment for women and children within the judicial system; this environment should take into account the special needs for rehabilitation and post-conflict care of women and children in vulnerable situations and conflict areas (New Zealand); 2. To ensure that members of the security forces are trained on human rights and on their responsibility to protect human rights and human rights defenders (Canada); 3. To enable the visit by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism as soon as possible (Slovenia);