The Department of Interior and Local Government encouraged local chief executives to extend financial and other support to public attorneys in their jurisdiction.In his recent memorandum circular issued to all regional directors, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno encouraged all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to provide their Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) with honoraria, office space, equipment, furniture, stationery and manpower.
The move is part of the campaign to strengthen the PAO in the country.
But the support, according to Puno’s memorandum, is still subject to the capability of the local government unit. The memorandum has been issued following the creation of PAO at the local level.
An attached agency of the Department of Justice, PAO provides indigent litigants with free legal assistance. But it has recently been observed that aside from being undermanned, PAO also received limited budget from DOJ.
The office has always been dealing with the legal problems of those who could not even afford for their own fare to and from the office.
PAO, which used to be the Citizens Legal Assistance Office or CLAO, was created in 1987. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP