Tabac bats for grassroots access to justice through legal caravan

Councilor Marlo Tabac, chair of the committee on barangay affairs and president of the Liga ng mga Barangay, supported the Tambag Legal Caravan held recently at Barangay Gusa to capacitate barangay official and volunteers in giving access to justice to city residents.

Conducted by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)–Misamis Oriental Chapter, the activity provided orientation and training to additional Barangay Legal First Aiders from five barangays in the city.

Around 100 barangay officials and community volunteers from Barangays Gusa, Lapasan, Camaman-an, Bayabas, and Patag participated in the activity, which aimed to enhance their knowledge and capability in providing basic legal assistance and facilitating access to appropriate legal resources.

Tabac stressed the need for continued capacity-building and stronger collaboration between barangays and the legal profession, noting that barangays serve as the first point of contact for many residents seeking assistance with disputes and other community concerns.

The activity brought together barangay leaders, community volunteers, and members of the legal profession to strengthen the implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay system and promote peaceful dispute resolution at the grassroots.

Speakers Atty. Regine Niog, Atty. Nielgem Sabay Beja, and Atty. Ernesto B. Neri, chairperson of the IBP Misamis Oriental Chapter Committee on Access to Justice, shared their knowledge and experience with the participants.

Tabac said initiatives such as the legal caravan help equip barangays to better respond to the needs of their constituents while making justice and basic legal guidance more accessible to the community.(JAO/SP)