By JOY R. SEVILLA
ALABEL, Sarangani (October 25, 2013) – The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Sarangani Chapter and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) District of Sarangani have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) concerning the turnover of the IBP building to PAO for the latter’s use.
The signing of MOA was done during the 4th Induction and Oath Taking Ceremony of the IBP-Sarangani Chapter held at A. Montana Resort in Kawas Thursday (October 24).
Atty. Miguel Escobar, IBP Sarangani Chapter president, said the turnover of the IBP building, which is situated just beside the office of the public attorney inside the Capitol Compound, is a response to the problem of PAO’s lawyers and personnel.
For several years now, PAO lawyers and personnel (three lawyers and four staff) were crowding into a five by five-meter room and entertaining clients under a coconut tree outside the office.
Atty. Salvador Talamayan, district public attorney of Sarangani, who is also the IBP Sarangani vice president, said it is a “dream come true” for PAO to have a bigger office conducive for working.
“In behalf of the PAO lawyers and staff, we are grateful for the kindness and consideration of IBP Sarangani led by president Escobar for allowing us to use the IBP building,” Talamayan said.
Aside from the building, IBP Sarangani also allowed the PAO to use its own facilities and equipment like the furniture and desktop computers.
The building, constructed two years ago, was donated by Party-list Representative Edgar Valdez and was supervised by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Meanwhile, Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon, inducting officer during the IBP oath taking ceremony, said the province, which is advocating for the Sulong Sarangani Program, can have another pillar, the Sulong Hustisya.
Sulong Sarangani Program is the convergence of all efforts of the departments in the local government to attain a more sustainable development.
“It is not just a program, but we see it as one which can take Sarangani Province forward. Sulong Sarangani has pillars which will address the specific needs of the community. We need IBP Sarangani to be part of our convergence efforts,” Solon said.
The Sulong Sarangani Program, which includes pillars on education, health, economy, tri-people, infrastructure, tourism, peace and order, environment, and agriculture, will be launched on November 28 in line with the province’s opening of the MunaTo Festival.
Solon also noted that the local government, through the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, also plans to allot legal aid fund for IBP Sarangani.
On the other hand, in behalf of the IBP Sarangani Chapter, Atty. Escobar expressed his gratefulness to the governor for his support.
“You are indeed a blessing to the chapter,” he said.
Escobar was the first vice governor of Sarangani. He was governor from 2001 to 2004.
He also thanked the new members of the IBP Sarangani who also took their oath, to wit; Atty. Chalmer C. Gevieso, Atty. Emma V. Peralta-Nebran, and Atty. Sheila J. Operiano for showing their strong support to the Chapter.
“Having them here with us is an indication that they are one with us in our vision to be a living partner of the government in development. They can fuel the chapter better and further,” Escobar said.
The newly-elected IBP Sarangani Chapter officers are: Atty. Miguel D. Escobar, (president); Atty. Salvador G. Talamayan (vice president); Atty. Rebecca Flores-Palacio (secretary); and Atty. Meriame Joy A. Cabarles (treasurer).
The IBP Sarangani Chapter is the youngest chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines with 34 members at present. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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