CONNER, Apayao—As a measure to prevent and resolve conflicts among the people of Apayao, lawyers here recently launched a “free lawyer program” to offer legal advice and services.

Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. said that there are many residents encountering legal problems but have no financial capabilities to file lawsuits in and outside the province.

Bulut said many residents ask him for help in the resolution of their legal problems, but since they have no means to pay their bonds nor access to good lawyering, some are sent to prison.

Lawyers in the program will also help advise municipal, barangay and provincial officials in terms of their functions and the settlement of issues within their jurisdiction.

Edmar Pascua, the provincial legal officer who heads the program, said the lawyers will provide free notary services, give legal advice, help settle land and boundary disputes, conduct symposiums on various laws that affect the town and its people.

Pascua said that after the launch, lawyers will conduct symposiums in the province’s seven municipalities and engage residents in discussing their recourse in the legal system.

A continuing information education campaign will also be done by the group to equip barangay officials on laws and regulations and aid them in dispute settlement to the lowest levels of the community.

He said, “Lawyering is not just about income generation; it primarily talks about public service, which we want to bring to our people here in Apayao,” Pascua added.

Initially, 11 lawyers attached to the government and some private practitioners have joined the program.

Priority beneficiaries of the legal service are members of the Apayao Solidarity Movement against Poverty and those who earn less than P12,000 a month.