CAMALIGUENO ATTENDS 2ND BJA CONGRESS

Source: http://www.adnu.edu.ph/NewsAndEvents/12222007e.asp

CLG Participates in the 2nd BARANGAY JUSTICE ADVOCATES (BJA) CONGRESS

AdNU Center for Local Governance (CLG) represented by its Director, Dr. Malu Barcillano attended the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF)  the 2nd Barangay Justice Advocates (BJA) Congress in Davao City Last December 3-4, 2007.   She was joined by two BJAs, Mr. Zoilo Alfonso from Barangay Marupit, Camaligan Camarines Sur and Hon. Tomas V. San Tomas, Punong Barangay from San Vicente Camarines Sur.  One of the highlights of the activity was the exhibit of good practices adopted and developed in the course of the BJSS implementation.  The Hon. Emmanuel Galicia, Councilor of Davao City (in behalf of the City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte) and Mrs. Judy A. Roxas Chairperson of the GRF Board of Trustees delivered the welcome remarks and Congress Overview. Among the distinguished guests of honors who attended the occasion were H.E. Reynato S. Puno, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Steve Edmenstes, Mr. Jon D. Linborg (Mission Director of the USAID) and Senator Mar Roxas, member of the of the GRF Board of Trustees. They all gave their inspirational messages to the participants.           

The Barangay Justice Service System (BJSS) is a project implemented by the Gerry Roxas Foundation (GRF) with the support by the USAID since 1998. Following its pilot implementation in Capiz, the BJSS expanded its coverage nationwide. As of October 2007, there are more than 1,700 BJSS barangays in almost 120 municipalities and cities.

The Ateneo de Naga University-Center for Local Governance (AdNU-CLG) being a member of the Consortium of the Centers for Local Governance was involved in the said Project since year 2001.  They were able to cover four (4) municipalities namely: Baao, Camaligan, Magarao and San Fernando for the BJSS Phase III Project and in following year 2002, BJSS Phase IV was implemented in the two (2) Municipalities of Canaman and Pili. A total of twenty-seven (27) barangays and two hundred seventy eight (278) trained Barangay Justice Advocates (BJA’s) in the province benefited from the project.

BJSS Project is a package of interventions meant to widen the access of the poor and the marginalized to justice services at the community level. Its approach is to strengthen the existing of dispute resolution in the areas where it is being implemented by mobilizing BJA who are trained and tasked to assist disputants settle their differences or find available justice services, and to educate the community in the ways of pursuing peace.