Salonga Center strengthens barangay governance in Bacong
May 22, 2009

To enhance the performance of local barangay officials, the Salonga Center was invited by the local government of Bacong to facilitate the one-day Enhancement Seminar on Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) Law and Coastal Resource Management.

Salonga Center Director Mikhail Lee L. Maxino discussed the intricacies of the KP Law with incoming senior students and Salonga volunteers Ma. Zusabel R. Digaum and Jason M. Bandal. Maxino also delivered a short lecture on Mediation Techniques.

Meanwhile, incoming junior student and volunteer Terrence Anton T. Callao tackled the discussion on the related Environmental Laws, with a focus on Solid Waste Management and CRM. A refresher discussion on Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 was given by Digaum. Salonga Center Secretary, Andrea Alviola, and incoming sophomore volunteer Rena Joy Ochoco assisted in the preparation, documentation, and in the Open Forum.

During the open forum, questions on jurisdiction and venue in the application of the KP Law were addressed. Maxino emphasized the spirit of the law which is “to uphold the tradition of settling in the early level” and “to lessen the docket of the courts.”

In addition, participants shared their experiences and insights on the implementation of environmental and CRM laws. Important details on the issuance of the Barangay Protection Order (BPO) under RA 9262 were also discussed. The lecturers stressed that under the law, there is no need to summon the respondent before issuance thereof. Mediation and conciliation between the spouses/partners is not applicable.

“We would like to express our deepest thanks to the Salonga Center for the sharing of the legal knowledge to all of us,” Municipal Local Government Officer Janice D. Baga said during the program.

The event, which was held at the Bacong Municipal Auditorium last Friday, May 22, 2009, was made possible in cooperation with the Liga Ng Mga Barangay and the local Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Barangay officials in the municipality, as well as the Lupon Members of each barangay attended the seminar.

Salonga Center’s involvement in the event is part of its continuing program of community involvement and service leadership.