LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Provincial Legal Office held a free Legal Aid Clinic and Barangay Consultation last April 28 in Sison Auditorium, Lingayen, Pangasinan.
The Provincial Legal Office led by Atty. Geraldine Ubana – Baniqued in cooperation with Liga ng mga Barangay (Pangasinan Chapter) President Jeanne Jinky C. Zaplan, The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Pangasinan Chapter), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), and Department of Justice (DOJ) administered the said clinic to barangay chiefs from 44 different Municipalities, and 4 Cities of the Province.
The clinic, on its second year, is an outreach program which aims to educate each Punong Barangay and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa (Barangay Peace Council) to increase their knowledge on the process and procedures of the Barangay Justice system to benefit their constituents and their community.
According to Atty. Baniqued, the seminar/clinic was very timely with the province’s support to the anti-illegal drugs campaign as the event will tackle different topics in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Dangerous Drugs eradication program and Operation Tokhang.
Duties of Barangay Officials in the conduct of Tokhang was also discussed to help village local executives understand the importance of their presence and their responsibility to their constituents during said raids, she added.
Open Forum facilitated by Atty.Novy Marie S. Cruz ended the clinic.
By Dexter A. See