10/04/2026
Strengthening access to justice through partnership
Dagupan City, April 10, 2026- A significant step toward improving access to legal services was marked today as SM Center Dagupan and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Pangasinan Chapter formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), establishing a partnership aimed at bringing legal aid closer to the community.
Under the agreement, SM Center Dagupan will provide complimentary event spaces within its mall premises to host IBP Pangasinan’s activities. These include free legal consultations, legal aid clinics, public fora, and information and awareness campaigns designed to educate and assist the public on various legal matters.
Representing SM Center Dagupan, Mall Manager Ms. Eileen V. Delos Santos and Sm Center Dagupan's Marketing Manager, Mr. Jerick James B. Pasiliao expressed the mall’s commitment to community engagement, emphasizing the importance of making essential services more accessible to the public.
Meanwhile, IBP Pangasinan, led by its Chapter President, Atty. Jefferson T. Faculanan together with Chapter Vice President Atty. Terence Marata, Auditor Atty Alex Lomboy, and Atty. Charisse C. Victorio, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Affairs and Programs, welcomed the collaboration, highlighting its role in strengthening the organization’s mission to deliver legal services, especially to underserved sectors.
The partnership underscores a shared vision of both institutions: to promote public service, legal awareness, and community empowerment. Through this initiative, mall-goers and residents alike can conveniently access legal assistance in a familiar and accessible environment.
This collaboration reflects a growing trend of public-private partnerships aimed at bridging gaps in access to justice, ensuring that legal help is not only available but also within reach of those who need it most.