THE City Government of Tagbilaran and Law Center, Inc. formalized a partnership to strengthen access to legal services and community legal education.
The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was held on July 13, 2026 at the JJ’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Jane Yap and Atty. Virginia Palanca Santiago, President of the Board of Trustees of Law Center, Inc.
Also present were Lorenza Fernandez, Executive Director of Law Center, Inc., Angelina Costan, Officer-in-Charge of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and Ms. Alica Faith Bayocot, Chairperson of the Tagbilaran Gender and Development Focal Point System – Technical Working Group.
The partnership aims to provide free legal assistance, legal literacy programs, community-based paralegal training, gender sensitivity seminars, and other capacity-building initiatives.
These programs will empower residents, particularly women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable sectors.
Mayor Jane Yap said the collaboration reinforces the city’s commitment to making justice more accessible through partnerships with organizations that share the same vision of empowering communities.
“Justice becomes meaningful only when it is accessible to every citizen.”
“Through this partnership, we are bringing legal services and legal education closer to our communities so that every Tagbilaranon is empowered to know, protect, and assert their rights,” Mayor Yap said.
Under the agreement, the City Government and Law Center, Inc. will jointly implement legal education campaigns, capacity-building activities, and referral mechanisms.
These will strengthen community awareness of legal rights while improving access to legal assistance and support services.
City officials said the initiative complements the local government’s people-centered governance agenda.
It ensures that legal protection and social justice programs reach those who need them most.
The partnership also strengthens collaboration with civil society organizations in advancing inclusive and responsive public service delivery.
