BALANGA CITY — The local government unit of Bataan has passed and approved Tuesday an ordinance establishing the provincial legal awareness group (PLAG).
Unanimously passed by the sangguniang panlalawigan chaired by Vice-Gov. Cris Garcia, the ordinance was sponsored by lawyer Antonino Roman III, first district Board member, and approved by Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia III.
The new measure noted that the Public Attorney’s Office render free legal assistance but some Bataenos are not qualified to avail themselves of its services due to the indigency test implemented by the agency.
“There is a need for the provincial government to reach out to its constituents, especially those in remote areas, to provide free legal seminars and legal aid clinics to educate Bataenos on their legal rights and legal procedures,” the SP resolution read.
“The provincial government of Bataan believes in transparency and an informed citizenry, and supports the directive under Article XIV, Section 3, of the Constitution that it be taught in all educational institutions. It also believes that indigents should have access to justice, in particular, affordable or free legal instruction and assistance,” the resolution added.
The PLAG to be headed by the provincial legal office was placed under the office of the governor. The SP chair of the committee on justice, human rights and legal matters becomes the ex-officio head while other members of the committee shall be ex-officio members, SP secretary lawyer Mark Lorenz Quezon said.
