La Trinidad gov’t, IBP conduct free legal work

By Ezra James Felix

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The local government here conducted free legal service aid in partnership with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Baguio-Benguet Chapter to for local folks in celebration of the 72nd foundation day of the municipality.
    The service was in cooperation with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Baguio and Benguet with partner law schools Cordillera Career Development College, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, and the University of Cordillera. Services included preparation and notarization of simple affidavits, legal counseling, and right awareness.
    Lawyer Jose Mari Molintas, president of IBP Baguio-Benguet Chapter said, “We believe that it is also important to be able to effectively inform the population about their rights, procedure, and the proper way of doing things because majority of their concerns include being misinformed about the procedure of those legal concerns.”
    “Our main goal is to provide legal aid to those who need,  to be able to bring the service out to the people instead of people going to respective offices of PAO and other offices,” he added.
    Mayor Romeo Salda said, “We know that when the pandemic started in 2020, we needed legal advice lalo na yung mga ibang student, yung ibang mga problema ng pamilya, problema ng mga lots so this legal aid to the people of La Trinidad has a good impact.”
    “Since all of the constituent of La Trinidad are affected due to COVID-19 … talaga nga awan pagalan da iman (financial capability) so ada daytuy nga legal aid, we have chance to share whatever problem undertaking so we have IBP to share whatever bits of advice,” he added.
    Cleevimae Oyan, student-client during the said free legal service, said, “This is a big help to every person who struggles financially and who knows no attorney, or any connection with an attorney to ask for any legal advice.”
Participants said notarizations and problems on legal certificates such as birth, death, and marriage certificates were the most common assistance served during   the event.
    The legal aid was the 5th partnership of IBP in cooperation with PAO and with the LGU-La Trinidad.
    Molintas said this was part of continuing partnership with the local government and the plan was to reach out to more residents to cater more constituents and invite free legal aid service.
    The event will be a regular collaboration with LGUs not just La Trinidad and will be expanded to cater to more locals to help a greater number of clients.
    People could visit the respective offices of the legal officers on their problems.
    Organizers through Molintas, said the IBP will be involved with groups to widen their scope of services.