Expanding Access to Legal Services through the Organization of Lawyers for the Provision of Pro-Bono Legal Aid (PHQZT0002)
Overview
At-a-Glance
Action Plan: Action plan – Quezon City, Philippines, 2025 – 2028
Inception Report: Not available
Commitment Start: Feb 2025
Commitment End: Apr 2028
Institutions involved:
- Quezon City Government - City Legal Department (CLD)
- Quezon City Government - Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD)
- Legal Organizations and Law Firms in Quezon City
Primary Policy Area:
Primary Sector:
OGP Value:
- Civic Participation
Description
Commitment ID
PHQZT0002
Commitment Title
Expanding Access to Legal Services through the Organization of Lawyers for the Provision of Pro-Bono Legal Aid
Problem
Quezon City residents (QCitizens) face significant challenges in accessing legal services, primarily due to a lack of awareness and the high costs of legal services. Accessibility remains limited, with many QCitizens unable to fully utilize these services despite the needs they confront. Several sectoral concerns have also been raised highlighting the need for more active involvement and visibility of lawyers in addressing issues such as domestic violence and child abuse as well as advocacy campaigns to educate QCitizens on their legal rights and empower them to navigate legal systems effectively.
Status quo
In Quezon City (QC), a significant gap persists in the accessibility and awareness of legal services among residents. Most QCitizens are unaware of the free legal aid offered by the Quezon City Government (QCG), which limits the impact of these services. Lawyers serving under the QC CLD are constrained to cater QCitizens only through legal consultations and referrals—they are unable to provide direct representation leaving many vulnerable individuals without adequate support. Key sectors, such as victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and workers’ rights groups, remain underserved. Efforts to educate the public on their legal rights and available services are minimal, resulting in widespread legal illiteracy and underutilization of resources. This highlights the need for strengthened advocacy, partnerships, and targeted interventions.
Action
The commitment aims to expand access to legal services for QCitizens by organizing a network of lawyers providing pro bono cases—increasing the visibility and accessibility of free legal services for marginalized communities in QC.
The commitment involves two primary initiatives: first, engaging law firms to take on pro bono cases for QCitizens, such as those involving domestic violence, child abuse, small claims, and unjust vexation; second, organizing legal caravans to provide free legal counseling in barangays across the city. Through these actions, the commitment seeks to improve legal access by establishing a well-coordinated pro bono legal aid system.
The expected results include a significant increase in the number of legal cases handled through pro bono services and stronger community partnerships. The overall objective is to ensure that all QCitizens have access to essential legal support, empowering them to navigate legal systems more effectively and protecting their rights.
How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?
The commitment will help solve the lack of legal access for QCitizens by engaging law firms for pro bono cases and organizing legal caravans. This will result in increased legal representation, with at least four law firms providing free legal aid beyond consultations, and legal caravans in all barangays offering legal services and education. Expected outcomes include improved access to justice for vulnerable groups, enhanced legal literacy among residents, and sustained partnerships between the local government, law firms, and community organizations. Ultimately, this initiative will create a more equitable legal system, ensuring essential legal services reach those in need.
What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?
This commitment aligns with the long-term goal of promoting equitable access to justice and increasing public trust in government institutions as identified in the Open Government Strategic Vision. By expanding access to legal services and raising awareness of legal rights, the commitment contributes to building a more inclusive legal system where all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, can access the justice they deserve. It also fosters transparency and accountability within the Quezon City Government, strengthening its role in protecting the rights of its citizens and ensuring that legal resources are effectively distributed and accessible to all.
Primary Policy Area
Inclusion
Primary Sector
Aid, Justice
What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?
| Civic Participation | This commitment is highly relevant to Public Participation and Inclusion because it directly empowers QCitizens by increasing their access to legal services and promoting awareness of their legal rights. By engaging law firms for pro bono services and organizing legal caravans in barangays, the initiative ensures that marginalized communities—who may otherwise be excluded from legal resources—are actively included in the legal process. Ultimately, it fosters a more inclusive environment where QCitizens can actively engage with legal institutions, voice their concerns, and assert their rights, thereby strengthening the democratic processes in the city. |