Razon Group provides free legal aid in Mindoro

Lawyers from International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) and other Razon Group companies conducted a free legal aid mission in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on July 31, providing assistance and information sessions for indigenous communities and local stakeholders.

The sessions focused on indigenous peoples’ rights, environmental protection and community safeguards.

This is the group’s first mission under the Supreme Court’s Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) framework, which requires covered lawyers to render pro bono legal service to indigent and marginalized communities.

From ICTSI were Mark Chan Acoymo, Mario Dela Cruz and Rowena Angela Salanga. They were joined by Charloneil Barsaga, Jose Dagala Jr., Martel John Milo, Theeza Danielle Bejosa and Kym Leiner Hernandez from Prime Infra, as well as Charisse Jen Choa and Ellie Chris Navarra of Prime Energy. Frederick Mayuga, Prime Energy Legal Counsel, joined virtually to discuss indigenous peoples’ rights under Philippine law.

More than 80 participants attended the mission, including members of the Taobuid indigenous community, local foresters, and representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Participants raised questions on land rights, environmental protection and operational safeguards affecting their communities.

The mission was supported by the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., D’Aboville Foundation and Demo Farm Inc.

The legal group were also invited to conduct a similar activity for indigenous communities in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.