The move is similar to that of the National Government's Public Attorney's Office (PAO).
The move was first pushed by Councilor Nilo Sayson as he said there was already an existing ordinance to this effect but has not been implemented for a long time.
The City Government got the nod of Dr. Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development as its cooperator under the created Office of the City Legal Assistance Service (Oclas)
Director of Jovito Salonga Center, lawyer Mikhael Lee Maxino said, the Oclas make it possible for indigents in the city and government workers charged with cases arising in the honest and sincere performance of their official duties to have free legal representation and assistance by volunteer lawyers and law students from the law schools of Silliman University, Foundation University and Negros Oriental State University.
Maxino added that the program also serves as a learning laboratory and legal clinic for law students and sharpening their skills and knowledge of the law.
The City Council recently passed a resolution to establish an office for human rights protection.
