LEGAL EDUCATION MODULES
Lakas ng Manggagawang Paralegal (LAMPARA)
Now on its fourth edition, LAMPARA is an intensive paralegal course specially designed for labor paralegal volunteers and is composed of a series of training sessions dealing with labor and related laws. Each training session is designed to expose paralegal volunteers to a specific level and area of labor issues or paralegal skills. While volunteers are ideally expected to participate all training sessions for about 6 months, each individual session is also open to volunteers who wish to attend only particular training sessions.
This comprehensive training program includes sessions on the following:
Basic Paralegal Orientation Seminar
Labor Standards & Post Employment Seminar
Labor Relations Seminar
Gender and Labor
Welfare Legislation & OSHS Seminar
Basic Skills Seminar for Paralegals
Advanced Skills Seminar for Paralegals
Basic English Course for Legal Writing
Laws Related to Labor
Labor Participation in Local Governance
Participants in LAMPARA should not expect a traditional, lecture-oriented pedagogy. Moreover, LAMPARA graduates should not expect that they will be left alone after graduation. Indeed, they should be expected to participate in continued learning sessions where they may be participants as well as facilitators.
LAMPARA is specially designed for worker volunteers interested to use their time and skills to know more about labor law and use it for the benefit of fellow workers. Anyone can attend. While volunteers are ideally expected to participate all training sessions for about 6 months, each individual session is also open to volunteers who wish to attend only particular training sessions.
A willingness to share time, experience and oneself. Be open to share and hear the sharing of others.
Conducted two days every other week, LAMPARA should be completed in about 6 months. Allow for extensions due to holidays, etc.
BASIC TRAINING ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE
This is a three day seminar on the salient features of the Local Government Code. The topics for the said said seminar focuses on the four Basic Principles on Local Governance: Local Autonomy, Fiscal Autonomy, Decentralization and Democratization and how these principles are operationalized to bring about more responsive and accountable local governance.
The module can be modified depending on background and the training needs of the participants. It may include an introduction to law and the Philippine legal system. The participants can expect an input on the following: Basic Principles of Local Governance, Local Government Units: Creation and Powers; The Sources of Funds of LGUs; Local Legislation:Substantive limitations and Procedural Aspect , Workshops on Parts of an Ordinance and Ordinance and Resolution drafting; Venues For People participation in Local Governancce; The Local Special Bodies; Disciplinary Action and Recall of Local Officials.
LOCAL LEGISLATION SEMINAR WORKSHOP
A two day training on the local legislation process with workshops on ordinance and resolution drafting. Topics are Basic principles of local governance and the legislation process; parliamentary rules and workshops on ordinance and resolution drafting.
PLANNING AND BUDGETING
The training focuses in mastering the one basic instrument of local governance- the budget and hho the budget can bee used to foster local development.
The topics are Basic Principles of Local Governance with emphasis on the Principle of Fiscal Autonomy and Democratization, Sources of Funds for LGUs; Principles of Budgeting; Local Budget Process; Local Special Bodies with emphasis on the Barangay/Municipal, City Development Council; Planning and Budgeting.
VENUES for PEOPLES PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE
Training which focuses on the different avenues by which the people can participate in local government affairs and at the same time master the ways and means to discipline or move against eering and abusive local officials
Topics are Basic principles with emphasis on the principle of Democratization; Local legislation process, Planning and budgeting Local special bodies Local sectoral represenation, Disciplinary action and recall, initiative and referendum; metalegal tactics
KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY
A three day seminar about the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) or the Barangay Justice system. Discussion topics include the Philippine Justice System; Nature and Objectives of the Barangay Justice System; Concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution, the KP law- its Scope,structure, venue, subject matter, procedure, enforcement, remedies and problem areas.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
A two day seminar on the Philippine justice system; concept of Alternative dispute resolution; Arbitration; Negotiation; conciliation and mediation.
URBAN GOVERNANCE
A three day training on the basic provisions of the Local Government Code plus Traditional Property Rights and the Urban Development Housing Act. The Urban governance training highlights the laws affecting the urban poor sector and how said sector can fully utilize the LGC provisions.
EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR WORKSHOP
A series of seminar starting with a basic training on Local governance and local legislation before conducting the Formulation of executive and legislative agenda. Topics would include Basic Principles of local Governance, local legislation, parliamentary rules. Workshop activities are conducted to check the skills of participants.
ELECTION LAWS
Omnibus Election law training with emphasis on voting and canvassing and tips on pollwatching. An orientation on the different forms used in pollwatching is also given to the participants.
URBAN GOVERNANCE
The Urban Governance training combines Basic Urban Poor Training module with Local Governance Topics. It centers on the framework that what is needed for proper UDHA implementation is the establishment of a Local Housing Board in every city & municipality. The training was designed primarily for Urban Poor Sector, LGU officers/employees, or anyone interested in urban poor issues. It however, requires participants to have at least a basic knowledge of local governance. In order to fully appreciate the training, one must attend the three day training.
BASIC URBAN POOR TRAINING
The Urban Poor Sector, or anyone interested in urban poor issues can attend this training. It discusses Traditional Property Rights vis–vis Social Justice Legislation; It also gives a brief urban poor situationer while it presents the two sides of the law when it comes to laws relating to the urban poor.
PARALEGAL TRAINING WITH FOCUS ON VIOLENCE ON WOMEN
Covers introduction to gender, violence on women, law and paralegalism, substantive laws on the family, criminal and special laws, procedural laws, and legal skills. The training provides gender and violence on women as the framework in looking at specific laws, legal remedies and procedures. The participant is expected to acquire legal skills in responding violence on women-related cases. On the other hand, after this training, it is not expected from participants to represent women in regular (trial) courts or to write complicated pleadings.
The trainings primary audience are NGOs who are service providers (eg those who directly assist victims of violence) or those with women’s desk, unit or commission; organized women’s groups in the communities.
To maximize the training, participants must have had exposure to issues on violence and should show interest to the issue. She/ He must also have opportunity to use the knowledge and skills in their work. The training lasts for a minimum of three days on initial training and at least six months legal clinic or practicum
LEGAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN LAWS AND RIGHTS
Covers specific areas in the law relating to gender and rights of women. Expect from this module an In-depth study and information of a particular law or set of legal remedies pertaining to a specific issue. Since this is only a half-day to one day seminar, participants should not expect to be fully capacitated to address all gender issues. This may be attended in by NGOs, POs, employees whether organized or not. Men and women are encouraged to participate and can get the most out of this module if they are open to gender as a human rights issue.
Addressing Gender Through Local Legislative Responses
Covers gender, substantive international and national laws on gender, and local government and legislative advocacy and processes. At the end of the training, participants should already have knowledge on laws on women and advocacies in local government units to address identified gender-related issues. Skills in providing direct assistance or support to women who are victims of gender-related cases are not part of this training.
This training is for multi-sectoral participants from the communities, especially women’s groups and local legislators. After the training, they are expected to have a basic knowledge on gender, and issues in the communities. They must also be able to identify issues for local legislative response and foster alliance within the LGU for passage of legislation.
To fully utilize the training, one has to undergo the minimum three-day training, then attend at least two follow through activities within the span of one year or so.
