2008 Accomplishment Report

For the year 2008, the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation continued to work for the realization of its Vision, Mission and Goal by continuing to implement its three Major Programs started in July 2007 namely, Legal Assistance Program, Empowerment Program and Advocacy Program.

STAFF

In 2008, HLAF had four (4) full-time staff one (1) lawyer acting as program officer and officer in charge, one (1) legal assistant, one (1) paralegal officer, and one (1) administrative assistant. 

HLAF also had one (1) volunteer paralegal and one (1) volunteer lawyer.  During the year, HLAF hosted a number of law student volunteers from Ateneo de Manila University and one (1) intern from Xavier University endorsed by the Ateneo Human Rights Center.

In 2008 HLAF had been assisted by twenty-four (24) paralegal coordinators from Quezon City Jail and nine (9) paralegal coordinators from Mandaluyong City Jail.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

HLAF as a legal developmental NGO continues to provide direct legal services to clients by

• Providing Legal Advice to clients;
• Preparing Legal Documents and Motions to be signed by the Public Attorney;
• Following up the client’s case wherever they may be pending;
• Legal Representation in Courts
• Facilitating the immediate release of Children in Conflict with the Law from Police Station Lock-ups; and
• Providing Technical Support to clients with regard to the clients’ implementation of their own Jail Decongestion Program and the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

 

For 2008, HLAF expanded its clientele by accepting requests for legal assistance from various government and non-government agencies.  Among HLAF’s clients are

• The Children in Conflict with the Law detained in the Center for Restorative Activities, Development an dLearning Experiences (CRADLE) in Bicutan;
• The Children in Conflict with the Law detained in various Police Station Lock up in National Capital Region;
• The Children in Conflict with the Law accused of being members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and are detained in Metro Manila District Jail;
• The Inmates of Quezon City Jail, Mandaluyong City Jail and Metro Manila District Jail.

Government Agencies who regularly sought HLAF’s legal advice and counsel in 2008 were

• The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council
• NAPOLCOM
• DSWD-NCR
• Local Social Welfare and Development of Malabon
• Local Social Welfare and Development of Parañaque
• Local Social Welfare and Development of Mandaluyong
• Local Social Welfare and Development of Manila
• Center for Restorative Activities, Development and Learning Experiences (CRADLE)

 

Non Government Organizations who regularly seek HLAF’s legal advice and counsel were

• ERDA Foundation
• CHILDHOPE Asia
• Pasay City Network for the Protection of Children
• CARITAS

 

For the year 2008, HLAF facilitated the release of three hundred sixty-six (366) detention prisoners.  Unrecorded are the countless follow-up efforts and pieces of legal advice provided to client organizations.

 

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

 

For this year, HLAF had conducted trainings to detention prisoners, members of the community and even public officers to popularize laws and procedures relevant to the Criminal Justice System.

 

In detention centers, HLAF conducted trainings on:

• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Rights of the Accused
• Government Structures
• Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002
• Modes of Release

 

HLAF has also been invited by various communities and barangays within Metro Manila to conduct seminars on Child Related laws especially

• The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,
• The Violence Against Women and their Children Act, and
• The Child Abuse Law

HLAF has also been invited by the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council to provide resource speakers in its trainings and seminars to popularize the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.  HLAF provided lectures in key cities all over the country to provide lectures to Police Officers, Parole and Probation officers, DILG Officers and Bureau of Corrections officers.

 

HLAF has also been in partnership with various jail service providers and volunteers to conduct trainings on

• Jail Situation and Condition
• Legal Issues and Challenges within the Jails
• Five Pillars of the Criminal Justice System and the Government Structure
• Jail Decongestion

 

For this year, the beneficiaries of HLAF Empowerment Program are:

• The Paralegal Coordinators of Quezon City Jail;
• The Paralegal Coordinators of Mandaluyong City Jail;
• Barangay Officials of the City of Malabon (in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Department of Malabon)
• Partner Communities of ERDA Foundation in Manila, Quezon City and Batangas
• Partner Communities of CHILDHOPE Asia in Manila, Quezon City and Pasay City
• Partner Communities of John J. Caroll Institute on Church and Social Issues in Quezon City
• Partner Communities of Balay Foundation in Caloocan City
• Summer Interns of the Ateneo Human Rights Center
• CARITAS Manila
• CRADLE Social Workers
• Selected Police Officers from all over the Philippines
• Parole and Probation Officers from all over the Philippines
• Regional Directors, Provincial Directors and City Directors of the Department of Interior and Local Government

 

All in all HLAF conducted a total of one hundred and eight (108) trainings and lectures in 2008 broken down as follows:

 

ADVOCACY PROGRAM

 

HLAF as a developmental legal organization sought to promote policies and laws which will promote justice and which shall tilt the balance of justice to those who are marginalized.

 

HLAF’s advocacy work included

• Promotion of Detainee’s Rights and Inmate’s Welfare;
• The proper implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act by the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, the Philippine National Police and the Local Government Units.

 

For this year, HLAF’s advocacy activities included

• Attending Senate Hearings and Conressional Hearings to defend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344) from anti-child amendments
• Attending Senate Hearings for the promotion of Detainee’s Rights
• Attending and hosting meetings of the Juvenile Justice Network
• Attending meetings of the Philippine Action for Youth Offenders
• Joining the National Technical Working Group of the Juvenile Justice Network
• Joining the team who is working on the Police Manual in Implementing the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
• Attending Various Jail Activities and Jail Consultations hosted by various Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Facilities.
• Appearing on NBN-TV to explain and clarify RA 9344.
• Conducting Jail Visits with the Participants of the 5^th Worldwide Conference of the Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE).

INMATES WELFARE PROJECT

Through HLAF’s Inmates’ Welfare Project, HLAF was able to donate the following:

 

 

 

 

ROMMEL ALIM ABITRIA

Officer-in-Charge/Program Officer