Benguet communities get CCDC’s free legal aid

OVER TWO HUNDRED individuals from various communities in Benguet received free legal services in a series of legal aid events by Cordillera Career Development College’s (CCDC) Community Legal Aid Center (CLAC) over the past two weeks.

Law student practitioners under the supervision of Judge Adolfo Malingan conducted legal consultation and rights awareness in two sitios of Poblacion, Atok and in Cayapes, Kapangan on March 10, 13, and 15, respectively.

The legal aid activities in these three communities are part of the Sumika-sika Series, CCDC’s continuing education extension program for the community which intends to enable lifelong learning for all.

Meanwhile, on March 17, CCDC collaborated with the Local Government of La Trinidad in providing legal consultation, notarial services, and drafting of documents at the municipal park.

The event was made part of the Strawberry Festival and Foundation Day celebration of the municipality.

Assisted by law student practitioners, CCDC alumni lawyers and College of Law professors volunteered their services in the endeavor.

Extending their services are lawyers Gemmalyn Piza, Ronico Agayo, Arnel Gumanao, Bjorn Ronwald Reyes, and Rashid Lokines. CCDC law professors Miller Quintin Jr., Cyrus Calaya, and James Kiat-ong likewise attended to individuals in need of legal assistance.

“We hope we can continue this kind of collaboration and expand it to reach more people,” said La Trinidad’s Legal Officer Atty. Victor Singa Jr., who is also a CCDC law graduate.

In addition to legal services, government line agencies were also tapped to support related services, especially in civil registry and agricultural land matters.

Attending for Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Cordillera are Gerard Tolito and Angel Marquez, while Wendy Lyn Balanban, who is also a CCDC College of Law alumni, extended the services of the Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera.

“This is part of our social responsibility to the community as well as an avenue to imbibe in our law students to essence of community work and social justice,” remarked College of Law Dean Atty. Alexis R. Agmata, who also attended the event.

(March 17 legal aid report by PT4 Cordillera: https://rb.gy/rfra89)

The latest legal aid was rendered at the CCDC’s gymnasium and CLAC on March 22 in celebration of the Women’s Month, along with other departments of the school.

All aforementioned legal aid activities are part of CCDC’s anniversary calendar of activities, leading to the anniversary week on April 1 to 4.

Established on April 3 last year, the CLAC was opened to provide free legal services to the indigent and marginalized sector, assistance in policymaking of government agencies, and advocate the rule of law.

It also aims to prepare CCDC’s law students in the legal profession through meaningful training and experience and make them competent, ethical, and socially immersed.

Aside from conducting legal aid, the CLAC is open to indigent and marginalized sector for free legal services. CLAC is located at the second floor of JMM Building at CCDC in La Trinidad, Benguet.*

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