ILOILO – High school students across Iloilo Province will soon gain access to legal guidance and education as part of an innovative program launched by the provincial government in partnership with Central Philippine University (CPU) College of Law and the Schools Division of Iloilo.
The initiative, dubbed “alaLAYI: Pag-ubay Legal sa Kabataan” (Legal Support for the Youth), was formally launched on Tuesday, April 8, during a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony held at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby. The activity formed part of the 124th Semana sang Iloilo celebration.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., CPU College of Law Dean Atty. Aila Rae Endonila, and Schools Division Superintendent Ernesto Servillon Jr. led the launching of the program, which aims to bring legal aid services and lectures to the province’s Teen Centers.
According to Provincial Population Office (PPO) head Atty. Ruel Von Superio, alaLAYI is an innovative effort to provide students with fundamental knowledge about their legal rights and responsibilities through direct engagement with the legal community.
“Today, we are introducing our contribution to the Bulig Eskwela sa Probinsya or BES PROBINS program of Governor Defensor — the alaLAYI: Pag-ubay Legal sa Kabataan,” said Superio.
He explained that the term alaLAYI is derived from the words “alalay” (to assist or guide) and “layi” (law), literally meaning “guiding youth on the law.”
The program is designed to holistically develop young people not only into healthy and productive individuals, but also as empowered citizens informed of their rights under the law.
It also complements ongoing programs on transformative education, such as voter education and career guidance counseling.
“This legal guidance program will help us guide our secondary students on current issues and concerns,” said Defensor. “It is a fundamental step in realizing our vision for transformative education.”
CPU’s Atty. Endonila lauded the program as “a lifeline” for the youth.
“It is not every day that we see a project that truly listens to the needs of young people and equips them with the tools to face real-world challenges,” she said. “This initiative proves our commitment to ensuring that our youth are heard, informed, and protected.”
Key components of alaLAYI include:
* Lectures, seminars, and fora on relevant laws such as gender-based laws, sexuality education, and voter education for teen center peer facilitators, peer helpers, and students;
* Legal assistance in the form of legal advice;
* Referrals for legal representation;
* Drafting of basic legal documents and affidavits;
* Training and legal services integrated into relevant population and development activities.
The program ultimately supports the province’s MoRProGRes ILOILO (Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Iloilo) development agenda./PN
