BACKGROUND
Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panlegal (SALIGAN), Inc. is a legal resource non-government organization (NGO) doing developmental legal work for the marginalized, disadvantaged, and exploited sectors in the Philippines. Founded in 1987, it responded to the need of the sectors for legal empowerment and legal representation.
“Saligan” means that which is fundamental and basic. SALIGAN works with and represents the basic and marginalized sectors in the Philippines, on whom rests the attainment of justice and social change in the country. It has operations throughout the country through its offices in Metro Manila, the Bicol region, and Mindanao.
SALIGAN is one of the founding members of the Alternative Law Groups, Inc. (ALG), a coalition of legal resource developmental NGOs throughout the Philippines.
MISSION
SALIGAN seeks to effect social change by working with women, the basic sectors, and local communities for their empowerment through the creative use of law and legal resources.
VISION
SALIGAN envisions a Philippines society that is just, peaceful, compassionate, and liberating:
where each person is free to live a life more fully human and unfettered by poverty, violence, prejudice, and discrimination and where the rights of everyone are respected and advanced, regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, culture, or ethnic or regional origin.
SALIGAN envisions a state that is sovereign, progressive, and democratic:
where women, the basic sectors, and local communities actively engage in all levels of governance and policy-making; where there is respect for people’s right to self-determination; and where political power is pursued to ensure the welfare of all and to correct unjust social relations.
SALIGAN envisions a national economy that is sustainable, self-reliant, and inclusive: where women, the basic sectors, and local communities participate in allocating resources and directing growth and where wealth is distributed to ensure the innate dignity of all.
SALIGAN envisions an environment that is healthful, balanced, and sustainable: where people manage natural resources within the communities responsibly and equitably.
SALIGAN envisions a legal system that is reflective, dynamic, inclusive, and accessible: where women, the basic sectors, and local communities freely advocate their causes and assert their rights and where laws and remedies are employed as instruments of justice, equity, peace, and development.
SALIGAN envisions a people who live in hope: who, in the face of the sufferings around and inside them, trust in their power to transcend.