In a landmark move, the Iloilo Provincial Government launched the alaLAYI program, offering legal education and assistance to teen centers across the province — touted as the first initiative of its kind in the country.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the program is a collaborative effort between the Provincial Population Office, the Central Philippine University College of Law, and the Schools Division of Iloilo.
“Providing guidance to our learners on law and legal matters is our goal… This is part of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.’s BesProbins (Bulig Eskwela) Program, which focuses on supporting schools and strengthening education in Iloilo.,” lawyer Roel Von Superio, chief of the Provincial Population Office, said.
The name alaLAYI is a combination of “alalay” (Filipino for assistance or guidance) and “layi” (Hiligaynon for law), symbolizing the program’s mission to offer legal empowerment through accessible, youth-friendly platforms.
Through alaLAYI, teen center peer facilitators, peer helpers, and students will participate in a series of lectures, seminars, and forums on key legal topics such as gender-based violence, sexuality education, and voter rights.
The program will also provide free legal advice, referrals for legal representation, drafting of basic legal documents, and legal assistance tied to population and development issues.
With 102 operational teen centers and five upgraded “Teen Center 2.0” hubs across Iloilo’s public secondary schools, the program is set to reach a wide youth demographic.
