In line with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Anniversary Celebration, the Ka-Team-Bang Free Legal Services Sa Barangay was highlighted via virtual platform on June 23, 2022.

The Field Office Caraga good practice is a partnership with the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) offering free legal services to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries in Surigao del Norte-Mainland.

Sha Honey S. Petilo, Social Welfare Officer III, briefly shared about the journey of the chosen initiative during the round table discussion with the 4Ps National Program Management Office.

Ka-Team-bang is coined from the word “timbangan” or “weighing scale” which is a symbol of fair and equitable justice in legal parlance which is also the ultimate goal of DSWD in protecting and preserving the lives of the disadvantaged Filipino sectors.

Oftentimes, these sectors have limited access to the government’s programs and services which are readily available for them. With the strategic means to provide the necessary programs at the community level, 4Ps Caraga bridged this gap.

As the implementation progresses, much has been done to ensure the improvement of the wellbeing of all partner beneficiaries. However, there are legal needs that openly affect the program beneficiaries that the Program cannot directly respond to. This is where PAO comes in the spotlight.

DSWD, through 4Ps Caraga, collaborated with PAO to provide offsite free legal services directly to 4Ps beneficiaries without cost.

In the course of twelve (12) Ka-Team-Bang activities from mid-2018 until early 2020, a total of 2,528 program beneficiaries attended and got oriented on the legal services of PAO of which 926 or 36% received legal advice/consultation especially on matters related to wrong entry of information in birth certificates, provision of child support, marriage matters, adoption, land disputes, and petitions.

Through the activity, the Pantawid beneficiaries were able to understand how the PAO can help them in times of need for legal matters. Moreover, the Barangay Council was so thankful because officials were able to inquire legal matters useful in their current positions and functions.

“Making a difference is always possible for those who believe and understand how the love for service can transform lives and community as a whole. Seeing the smiling faces of Pantawid beneficiaries after they availed the services was priceless,” Joseph Rudyard Malinao, Provincial Grievance Officer of SDN, shared.

Malinao, one of the proponents of the said good practice, mentioned that to date, there are already 5 municipalities served with more than 50 barangays, more than a thousand attendees oriented with legal services, more than 500 4Ps beneficiaries availed legal consultations, and more than a hundred availed notarization services.

Moreover, 137 beneficiaries have been provided with notarized affidavits on the spot such as loss of identification cards, original certificate of motorcycle registration, and other pertinent documents.

With greater appreciation of the partner’s efforts, DSWD has prepared Certificates of Recognition for invaluable and indispensable efforts by PAO lawyers for the implementation of the good practice in Surigao Del Norte –Mainland.

Even though the conduct of Ka-Team-Bang activities was hampered because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4Ps Provincial Operations Office (POO) SDN makes sure that the partnership will continue in the coming years to provide holistic delivery of services. ###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)###(Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)