IN PARTNERSHIP with civil society organizations and law schools, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)–Davao City chapter spearheaded the city’s celebration of law week.
Joining IBP in Sunday’s motorcade are Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children (Luna), Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (Apila), Union of People’s Lawyer in Mindanao (UPLM), Integrated Gender Development Division of the City of Davao, Ateneo Legal Aid Office, Talikala, Inc., Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS), Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP)- Davao City Chapter, Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal (Saligan), Tambayan Center, Inc., Adolescent Health Advocates in Mindanao, Child Alert-Mindanao, Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions (MMCEA), Gabriela Davao, Alliance Against Aids in Mindanao (Alagad), Women Studies and Resource Center, Lawig Bubai, and Nagkahiusang Kabataan aron Katungod Matagamtaman (Nakamata).
The four law schools in Davao City, namely: Ateneo de Davao University, Jose Maria College, Rizal Memorial Colleges and University of Mindanao also join and support the celebration.
“Though we have done some projects with particular organizations, this is the first time that major civil society groups come together to join IBP in the celebration of the law week,” IBP Chapter President Rogelio Largo said.
We are happy that finally, they have counted IBP as one of their partners, he added.
In 1995, the third week of September was declared as annual Philippine National Law Week through Presidential Proclamation No. 640. It reinforced Presidential Proclamation No. 1477 issued two decades earlier which declared September 19 of every year as Law Day.
Consequently, the Legal Education Board (LEB) issued Memorandum Circular No. 24 suspending classes in all law schools today, September 19, 2018 and mandating the conduct of substitute activities with the active participation of law students and law professors, such as academic symposia, public law lectures, and legal aid services.
The key activities of the law week are Paralegal Training for Development Workers, Gender Sensitivity and Capability Enhancement Training for Police Investigators, Students Legal Education Roadshow, Inter-Law School Debate and Impromptu Public Speaking Contest, Community Legal Aid Fair, and Fellowship Night.
As a highlight, the IBP and civil society groups will sign a Memorandum of Agreement on the implementation of the mandatory Community Legal Aid Service during the fellowship night on September 22. (PR)