Policy Reform SALIGANʼs long and intimate work with the countryʼs poor and marginalized has allowed us to know their views on existing policy and their proposals for new ones. We continue to work with them to make their voices heard in rooms and halls where policy and law affecting them are thought of, written, and passed. For us, law reform is the continuing effort to let the marginalized sectors shape policy with their own hands. As 2010 marked the end of the 14 th Congress and the start of the 15 th, SALIGANʼs work in policy reform was characterized by an assessment of previous proposals, those which remain relevant being filed anew, and formulation and filing of new bills. Thus, SALIGAN continues work on the Land Use Policy Act (LUPA) Bill, the Reproductive Health bill, the Local Sectoral Representation bill, and the bill Strengthening Workersʼ Right to Security of Tenure. Each of these proposals represents critical reform of Philippine law necessary to protect the countryʼs poor and marginalized. Work on reforming policy is also conducted on the local level, typically in areas where SALIGAN maintains its offices namely Naga City and Davao City. SALIGAN Bicolʼs conduct of consultations with various groups in the Bicol region helped produce the version of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta
Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat speaking at a forum organized by SALIGAN Bicol as SALIGAN s Hazel and Dave look on. of Women Act on August of 2009 (RA No. 9700) which became effective July 2010. SALIGAN Bicol also worked on the Gender and Development (GAD) Codes of various municipalities in Camarines Sur, namely Pili, Bula, Camaligan, San Fernando, Gainza, and Milaor and cities in Albay such as Legaspi City, Daraga, and Tabaco City. Such a wide range of work involving womenʼs issues, not to mention other work involving such proposals as the Naga Anti- Prostitution Ordinance, help SALIGAN Bicol Coordinator Atty. Marie Hazel Lavitoria in her work as member of the Naga City Council for Women (NCCW) and as NCCWʼs representative to the Board of the Naga City Peopleʼs Council. At the same time, SALIGAN Bicol continues to be a member of the Naga City Urban Development and Housing Board, and was elected vice- Policy Reform chairperson, upon its reconstitution on September 2010. SALIGAN Mindanaw provided expert advice and assistance to policy makers on a wide range of important issues affecting Moros, the peace process, indigenous peoples, the environment, and local autonomy. In 2010, SALIGAN Mindanaw continued work on the Empowerment Ordinance for Davao to maximize and institutionalize peopleʼs participation in the city. We also worked on the proposals on Local Sectoral Representation so as to maximize representation of poor and marginalized groups in the city. SALIGAN Mindanaw also provided inputs in the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the regional law in
the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) particularly on recognizing customary laws and rights of indigenous peoples. Near the May 2010 elections, SALIGAN Mindanaw assisted in activities related to the formulation and presentation of the people of Davaoʼs legislative agenda. SALIGAN s Raissa H. Jajurie (fourth from left) at a panel discussion on UN Security Council resolution 1325 on the issue of "women, peace and security". She joins (from left to right) Karen Tañada (GZO), Joeven Reyes (Sulong CARHRIHL), Irene Santiago (Mindanao Commission on Women) Fatmawati Salapuddin (Lupah Sug Bangsamoro Women), Betty Colmo (Woman IP leader from Kidapawan, North Cotabato) and Rina Jimenez David of Pilipina. Sounding the Horn of Reform SALIGAN s work to reform policy occurs everywhere in Congress, in sanggunians, and in executive agencies. Yes, there are times when the call for reform is taken to the streets. Near the end of the Arroyo Administration, SALIGAN, together with other members of the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), participated in calls to stop midnight appointments designed to burden the succeeding administration and obstruct necessary reforms. At left is SALIGAN s Program Officer, Lizel B. Mones, showing her support for judicial independence.
Caloy Ollado ( - 1998) Bobby Gana ( - 1998) Feb 2, 2010 - visit Caloy and family. Eat at Everyboady s. visit Bob. Dasal. Kwentuhan. Ewwww. Sarrrrap. Maglalakbay ka
Legal C linics Paralegals Trainings SALIGANʼs trainings are anchored in our firm and continued commitment to bring the law closer to the lives of those it affects and those which most need it. It is only when the law is placed in the capable hands of the marginalized can it truly improve their lives. By understanding the trained more than three thousand volunteer paralegals from various sectors nationwide. Women, farmers, workers, urban poor, and countless other persons have given themselves in SALIGAN trainings. They have since taken on the role of advocate for their community or sector as leader, mediator, handler of disputes, gatherer and keeper of evidence, researcher, and mentor to SALIGAN trainings are held in a wide range of circumstances to address a long list of issues faced by the poor and marginalized. The photos above show Mon (left) and Lizel (right) conducting paralegal trainings in Davao and in Quezon City, respectively. law and legal processes, the poor can use the law and when needed, change it. In the past 24 years, SALIGAN has other paralegals. Empowered, their lives have changed and they in turn change othersʼ lives.
paralegals in action SALIGAN integrates paralegals in our work, be it advocacy, litigation support, and of course, training other paralegals. At right is of giving a talk on to workers of in Davao City. Near him is SALIGAN s Atty. Mon Salas. In 2010, SALIGAN trained a total of 44 paralegals in 2 trainings. SALIGAN Mindanaw conducted a Moro-Indigenous Peoplesʼ Training on Procedural Laws and Skills on September 20-24, 2010, attended by 26 paralegals from Moro and indigenous peoples. The training follows another one on Land Laws and Ancestral Domains which had been conducted a year before. Also, SALIGAN Mindanaw conducted a paralegal training entitled Gender, VAW and Paralegal Training for Moro Women on September 29 to October 2, 2010. 18 volunteer women participated. In addition, SALIGAN also conducted follow up activities, known as legal clinics, among several groups of paralegals. One group came from the Women and Gender Commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (WGC-AMRSP) and another group from Naga, under the program Naga Paralegal Sa Barangay (Barangay Paralegals in Naga) which involved 27 participants (24 female, 3 male) including punong barangays or kagawads from the different barangays in Naga City. 25 legal literacy seminars volunteers
paralegals in action At left, Edwin Bustillos emphasizes a statement during a May 1 labor day rally attended by thousands of workers. EB is part of the first batch of paralegals under SALIGAN s LAMPARA program. He has since helped fellow workers fight for their rights through law reform, conducting seminars and trainings, and assisting them before labor agencies and tribunals. He is now of the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL).