IBP, GIRLLZ conduct free legal aid clinic to indigent clients

By Gideon C. Corgue  

PAGADIAN CITY – In the spirit of public service, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, in coordination with the Greater Innovation of Responsible Lady Lawyers in Zamboanga del Sur (GIRLLZ) recently conducted a 1-day free legal aid clinic to indigent residents in the province.

IBP president Atty. Abraham Marcaban said the activity is part of the celebration of World Law Day which is observed every 17^th day of September.

He said this endeavor was  originally initiated by IBP national chapter, designed to provide free legal counsel to persons who could not afford to pay for the professional fee of lawyers specially the indigent members of the community.

Marcaban said the project was replicated by GIRLLZ in 2009 to 2011.

“The free legal aid clinic was replicated by GIRLLZ and has been their advocacy project annually to help indigent people who need free legal assistance of lawyers,” Marcaban opined.

GIRLZZ president Atty. Analyn Costanilla said she is grateful for the support extended by the new administration of the IBP local chapter.

“I am grateful to IBP thru its president Atty. Marcaban in providing logistics and sending male lawyers, private practitioners, public prosecutors thereby making the activity successful,” Costanilla said.

Meanwhile, Nicanor Collano, a walk-in client from barangay Tiguma said he was happy to avail the “free legal aid clinic” conducted by the IBP and GIRLLZ.

“Nalipay ko nga gipahigayon sa IBP ug GIRLLZ ang ‘free legal aid clinic’ tungod kay natanyagan ko sa ilang libre nga serbisyo. (I am happy that the IBP and GIRLLZ conducted the “free legal aid clinic” because I have availed free legal services of lawyers,” Collano said in an interview with PIA9 staff.

Collano went to DOJ to seek legal advice on how to prepare  the extra-judicial settlement and partition of his land but took notice of the presence of many lawyers inside a makeshift tent at the vicinity of DOJ where the activity was conducted.

Atty. Costanilla said the GIRLLZ will also hold series of drug symposia to selected public and private secondary schools  in the city to raise awareness on the harmful effects of illegal drugs in our society today.   (PIA9)