Balay Rehabilitation Center, Inc,

Balay Rehabilitation Center, Inc. (Balay) is a Philippine non-governmental organization established in 1985 by the late Senator Jose W. Diokno, former Social Welfare Secretary Mita Pardo de Tavera, and other human rights advocates in response to the growing need for rehabilitation services for survivors of torture and political repression during the Marcos dictatorship. Since its founding, Balay has remained committed to restoring the dignity, well-being, and rights of individuals and communities affected by violence, armed conflict, displacement, and other serious human rights violations. Balay's mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities affected by human rights violations through rights-based and trauma-informed psychosocial rehabilitation, while promoting access to justice, accountability, and sustainable peace. The organization works from the belief that healing, human rights, and social transformation are mutually reinforcing, and that psychosocial rehabilitation is an essential component of transitional justice, peacebuilding, and democratic governance. Balay's primary activities include providing trauma-informed psychosocial rehabilitation and case management; strengthening survivor and community leadership; documenting human rights violations; promoting truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence; supporting peacebuilding and transitional justice initiatives; and building the capacities of communities, civil society organizations, and government institutions to adopt rights-based, survivor-centred approaches. Through partnerships with local communities, government agencies, faith-based organizations, academic institutions, and international networks, Balay works to strengthen civil society, promote accountability, and build inclusive, resilient communities where human rights and psychosocial well-being are protected.