The Provincial Legal Extension Services Program (PLESP), under the Provincial Legal Office of the Local Government, conducted a two-day event in the town of Narra on August 17-18, 2023, offering free legal services to local residents.
During the course of the two days, the PLESP organized seminars and orientations that engaged the active participation of 23 barangays from the town.
On the first day, a comprehensive seminar was conducted covering topics such as Barangay Justice (Katarungang Pambarangay or KP), the Duties and Accountabilities of Government Officials and Employees (under RA 6713, RA 3019 & RA 11032), the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act (VAWC, RA 9262), Anti-Trafficking in Persons, and more.
The second day of the program featured 63 free legal consultations, addressing a wide array of issues including land disputes, barangay-level concerns, small claims, and matters related to the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, among others.
Leading the efforts were Provincial Legal Officer Joshua U. Bolusa, along with various legal practitioners from the Provincial Legal Office. They were joined by representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Palawan Chapter.
The PLESP is driven by the goal of ensuring that legal services reach every municipality in Palawan, a directive that aligns with the vision set forth by Governor V. Dennis M. Socrates.
Narra is now the sixth municipality to have received legal services through the PLESP initiative. Previously, the program catered to the legal needs of towns including San Vicente, Roxas, Quezon, Taytay, and Bataraza.
Through this program, the Provincial Legal Office is making commendable strides in ensuring access to legal resources, empowering citizens with knowledge, and fortifying the community’s understanding of their rights and responsibilities.