DOJ’s first ‘Katarunga’n caravan in Capiz deemed successful

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The first Katarungan Caravan conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Panay, Capiz, was declared a success.

The Katarungan Caravan, a flagship one-stop legal aid outreach program of the DOJ, focused on providing free legal services such as drafting legal documents, issuing government referrals, and offering legal advice.

The activity was held at the Panay Community and Sports Center through the initiative of Capiz 1st District Rep. Howard Guintu, the DOJ, and partner agencies.

Guintu said the event was the first of its kind in Capiz and brought hope and opportunity not only to the people of Panay town but to the entire province.

“This is the true spirit of public service, to bring the government closer to the people,” Guintu said.

Also present were representatives and personnel from the DOJ, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Register of Deeds, Land Registration Authority (LRA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), among others.

Panay Mayor Jonathan “Sonny” Besa thanked DOJ Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Assistant State Prosecutor Atty. Joan Guevara, and FPJ Ang Panday Party-list Rep. Bryan Poe Llamanzares for bringing free services to his constituents.

Maayon Mayor Raymond Malapajo, who serves as president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Capiz chapter, also graced the event.