Iloilo barangays to receive legal aid from IBP

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) in the province of Iloilo has launched the “Barangay Aid on Wheels” program, designed to provide accessible legal advice and guidance to barangay officials in addressing community legal concerns.

LnB Iloilo President Amalia Debuque and Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Iloilo Chapter (IBP) President Atty. Hilarion Firmeza Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 6, 2024, formalizing the partnership.

Through the MOU, the IBP-Iloilo will bring legal expertise directly to barangay communities, empowering local officials by informing them of their legal rights and responsibilities.

Dubuque highlighted the challenges faced by some barangays, such as long distances and limited resources, which often prevent them from seeking legal assistance.

“With Barangay Aid on Wheels, we are not just addressing immediate needs—we are laying the foundation for sustainable progress,” Debuque stated.

“This project is designed to empower, enlighten, and educate our barangay officials, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive development from the ground up,” she added.

The project aims to organize legal consultations in barangays on community concerns and issues, facilitating access to legal services that will help resolve local governance issues, land disputes, and family matters requiring legal expertise.

Dubuque also noted that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is part of the initiative and will lead discussions on Katarungang Pambarangay, a system for the amicable settlement of disputes at the barangay level.

According to the DILG, Katarungang Pambarangay allows community members to resolve conflicts with the guidance of the barangay captain without the need for legal counsels.