NGOs may get funding support from DOJ

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Justice, through its Technical Working Group, intends to provide financial support to any non-government organizations that provide free legal aid assistance or training.

The DOJ is calling all NGOs, Public Interest Law Group and Law School Legal Aid Office to submit proposals for financial grants. Qualified beneficiaries can get as much as P1.5 million funding support from the government.

The DOJ, in their call for proposals, said that with the continued implementation of Katarungan Caravan, more Filipinos have been receiving access to justice.

However, it said, given the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC) lack of manpower and shortage of facilities to further implement expanded access to justice programs, it is incumbent upon DOJAC to take all actions necessary to fulfill its mandate, in this instance by tapping NGOs that provide legal assistance.

Just recently DOJAC has officially launched its satellite office in Region 7 located in Cebu City as part of the agency’s thrust to make justice available to all Filipinos.

DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, in his speech, reiterated to the public his commitment to relentlessly uphold the rule of law and make justice accessible to every Filipino.

He added that with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas campaign that no Filipino shall be left behind, they bridge the geographical gaps to deliver justice to each and everyone in real time.According to the DOJ, beneficiaries are expected to help implement DOJAC’s program through the conduct of its own projects and activities that would expand DOJAC's services and increase the number of clients served.

The scope of work shall cover the preparatory phase (formulation of work and financial plan, etc.), fieldwork/implementation of project, as well as preparation of reports and presentation of results.

The expected output shall include at least four legal aid caravans/missions conducted until March 31, 2025 which shall be properly documented, at least three capacity-building programs for law practitioners, law interns and/or law students who provide free legal aid assistance to marginalized and indigent litigants which shall be properly documented through photographs, attendance sheets, feedback forms, among others.

The DOJ, as the country's principal law agency, is mandated to provide free legal assistance/services to indigent members of society, as well as other qualified persons.

In order to carry out its public service and legal assistance mandate, the DOJ on February 28, 1985 established the Public Assistance Center, which was later on renamed as DOJAC.

Since then, DOJAC has served as the DOJ's frontline arm, providing legal services and assistance to the public through legal counseling and advice, mediation conferences, and referrals/endorsements to other agencies or offices legal representation to qualified clients undergoing inquest proceedings and/or preliminary investigation, notarial services, and performs other duties and responsibilities assigned to it by the Secretary of Justice.

In early 2022, the DOJ Action Center was even designated as the Department's focal unit for 8888 concerns/complaints. — (FREEMAN)