Women-victims of violence and exploitation may now avail of free legal aid as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) implement the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) providing such assistance.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and IBP President Vicente Joyas inked the MOA for the partnership in December 2013.

Under the agreement, DSWD evaluates cases of women and children who are qualified to avail of free legal aid.

On the other hand, IBP through the National Center for Legal Aid (NCLA) provides free legal counseling and advice to DSWD clients, gathers facts and evidence, and prepares and files pleadings and other documents required by the courts.

IBP lawyers will also appear in court proceedings and conduct legal aid clinics to inform the beneficiaries of their legal rights and address their various legal concerns.

The agreement also covers provision of free legal counseling and advice to children in conflict with the law (CICL) and prospective adoptive or foster parents.

The partnership will run until December 2014.

Sec. Soliman thanked the IBP stressing that legal assistance is needed for the speedy resolution of cases being handled by DSWD. ###