Law students to educate people in remote areas on legal issues

THE University of Cebu College of Law has partnered with the Cebu City government and the Cebu City Volunteerism Movement for the implementation of “Kaalam: Laws Straight to Grassroots” project in the city’s mountain barangays.

The project is spearheaded by the fourth year law students under the Problem Areas in Legal Ethics class of lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos. The partnership aims to bring the law closer to the remote communities.

The organizers believe that the law is not only for lawyers, law students and public officials, but also for everyone who is eager to know it.

The two-day event will promote knowledge of relevant legal issues through three simple modules — responsible voting, katarungang pambarangay and basic human rights — in the city’s mountain barangays.

It will be held today in barangays Babag and Bonbon for the south district and tomorrow in barangays Tabunan and Busay for the north district.

When asked about the rationale behind the project, a class representative said, “The road towards grassroots development is long and challenging. Nevertheless, victory is definitely within our reach if the various stakeholders cooperate in undertaking endeavors such as this. Let it be committed to memory that knowing one’s basic rights is the real essence of democracy and keeping the people well informed of these basic rights is the fundamental thrust of public service. I am positive that this is another step towards bringing people nearer to the heart of the government.”

The Cebu City Volunteerism Movement with Veronica Jimenez will formally introduce the movement at the end of the modules.