Lawyers to raise P100T to help decongest jail

CEBU, Philippines- The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter is bent on raising P100,000 to fund its jail decongestion project.

IBP-Cebu Province Chapter President Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said the money will be spent in training paralegal volunteers and for mobilization expenses in following-up cases of inmates of the Mandaue City Jail.

IBP aims to raise the money through a fun run on September 20. The activity will kick off this year’s celebration of Law Week from September 20 to September 27.

 The Integrated Bar for Release Enhancement and Efficiency, which was launched at the Mandaue City Jail in June, targets to facilitate the release of at least 30 detainees within a year by helping expedite the disposition of their cases.

The inmates that are being prioritized are those who have been behind bars longer than the prescribed period as penalty for their offenses.

Malig-on said the proceeds may also be used to implement the program at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center once IBP formalizes an agreement with the provincial government.

 Malig-on said the fun run also aims to generate public awareness on the project and encourage institutions to support it.

“It’s a fitness and fun activity. Makatabang pa sila sa kawsa to make our jail less congested,” he said.

 IBP aims to invite 500 to 700 runners to reach the target. The fun run will start at 5 a.m. on September 30 at Parkmall in Mandaue City. It will be undertaken in partnership with Parkmall, dyAB, and Mandaue City Government, among others.

 Registration fees are at P350 for 3K, P400 for 5K, and P500 for 10K categories, respectively. Runners may register until September 20 at Parkmall, Runnr Store at Ayala Center Cebu, Infinitea City Timesquare, and IBP Cebu Office. Interested runners can also register online through race.ph/IBPRun.

 Aside from the fun run, the other activities for the Law Week include a legal aid program in coordination with the Junior Chamber International  Mandaue on September 21, inter-school law debate and Ms. Law University pageant in partnership with Mega Cebu on September 26 at Ayala Terraces, and a chess tournament in partnership with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-Cebu on September 27 at SM City Cebu.  (FREEMAN)