The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC), brought its Katarungan Caravan to Capiz last October 11, 2025 (Saturday), continuing its mission to make justice and essential government services more accessible to Filipinos across the country.
The caravan, held in the Municipality of Panay, provided residents with free legal aid, consultations, and documentary services in partnership with various national agencies, including the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Margarita Gutierrez, head of the DOJAC Katarungan Caravan, said the program aims to bring government services closer to communities, especially those far from major city centers.
‘Through the DOJ Action Center, we continue to fulfill our mission of making justice more accessible-lalo na sa mga kababayan natin sa mga probinsya. Aside from legal assistance, we also held a lecture on the Safe Spaces Act to promote respect and gender sensitivity in our communities,’ Gutierrez said.
The Safe Spaces Act lecture was led by Assistant State Prosecutor Atty. Joan Carla Guevarra, DOJAC Program Director, who emphasized the importance of creating safe and inclusive environments for all, particularly women and vulnerable sectors.
‘Through these lectures, we aim to empower communities to know their rights and to help create safe and respectful spaces for everyone,’ Guevarra said.
The successful caravan was made possible through the collaboration of Capiz 1st District Representative Howard Guintu, FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Representative Brian Poe Llamanzares, Panay Mayor Jonathan Besa, and OIC Regional Prosecutor Louie Doligosa, together with the participating national agencies.
In a Facebook post, the Municipality of Panay expressed pride in hosting the event:
‘This is a proud moment for the Municipality of Panay as we host the first-ever DOJ Katarungan Caravan in the province of Capiz. The program brought hope and opportunity to our people by making legal and government services more accessible, especially to those who often have to travel far just to process documents or seek assistance. This is true public service in action.’
The local government noted that the Katarungan Caravan drew residents from various towns in the 1st District of Capiz, many of whom availed of services they would normally need to travel to Roxas City or Iloilo for.
The activity was praised as a meaningful collaboration between national agencies and the local government, serving as a tangible example of ‘justice in action’ and accessible governance for all.
‘Every caravan we hold is proof that justice can be brought directly to the people-especially those in areas where legal and government services are hardest to reach. When we work together with local governments and partner agencies, we bring not only services but also hope. This is what real public service looks like,’ Gutierrez said.