Project Description

Initially conceived as an avenue to foster human rights awareness as well as to provide free legal and para-legal advice among Ilonggo residents, this program involves a series of legal lectures, fora, and consultations in the different barangays in the city. It later on evolved in scope, including jail visits and other complementary interventions benefitting the marginalized, especially those having difficulty accessing legal services.  The project supports endeavors towards human rights promotion and protection in Iloilo City.

Project Milestones

KAMALAYAN benefited a total of 32 barangays in the city, with approximately 40 participants per event.  The program sparked conversations about stories of injustices, struggles, and other community issues. Our office, together with our partner agency Commission on Human Rights and institutions such as the University of San Agustin College of Law and West Visayas State University College of Law, has given informative legal advice to around a thousand participants, primarily from low-income families, empowering them to comprehend their basic human rights and pursue justice without financial constraints. Through KAMALAYAN Public servants at the barangay level have gained a deeper understanding of resolving community issues within their own capacities.

Future Plans

This initiative is one of our core missions. We aspire to extend its reach beyond the initial 32 barangays we visited and to involve other partner-institutions in the activity.