IBP-NorLu Governor, SEMCO reaches Palanan for legal aid and gift-giving
Scenes during the legal aid and outreach program in Brgy. Culasi, Palanan, Isabela. Photos by Mae Barangan
PALANAN, Isabela- Atty. Minerva R. Magtanao-Taguinod, Governor of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Northern Luzon Region; Atty. Antonette B. Cordero, Director III of Legislative Debate Reporters Service of Senate of the Philippines and representative of Senate Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SEMCO); Atty. Jonathan Valiente, Atty. Angelito Ramirez and Atty. Rod Peterson Ignacio, IBP-Isabela Chapter Vice President, and members respectively, conducted free legal aid and gift-giving at Dumagat Village, Brgy. Culasi, Palanan, Isabela on July 20, 2023, with the security assistance provided by personnel of Palanan Police Station headed by the Chief of Police, PMaj. Jose B. Torrijos.
More or less 300 Dumagats, young and adult benefited from the said activity.
“Legal services should be accessible to everyone that’s why we went to as far as the coastal town-Palanan to give free legal aid and conduct outreach program at the same time. Just like the previous activities that we conducted, land dispute and ownership are the most common complaints that we hear,” Atty. Taguinod said.
The same activity was conducted by IBP-Isabela Chapter and was graced by Atty. Taguinod on June 18, 2023, in Dinapigue, Isabela, also a coastal town.
“Time and technology are fast changing so it is timely to upgrade the services that we can offer to the public. Through the frequent conduct of legal aid to the people most especially to the indigenous tribes, I hope that there’ll be no story of oppression of rights to deal with in the future,” Atty. Taguinod added.
SEMCO representative Atty. Cordero on the other hand said, “When I presented the request for assistance regarding the outreach program for the Dumagat Tribe, the Board immediately approved it.” She said that the experience she had during the activity gave her the idea of specific services that she can extend to the tribe the next time she does the same activity.
Free legal aid service is one of the mandates of the IBP. Those who are in need and qualified can avail.
IBP-Isabela Chapter has conducted legal services to nine municipalities since the calendar year 2023.# Mae Barangan
