Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Quezon City Chapter President Atty. Melissa Encanto-Tagardo introduces the IBP and its mandate for community engagement, which is extended to Filipinos overseas. (Photo by Barcelona PCG)
BARCELONA, 18 November 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona hosted a "Legal Empowerment Day" on 16 November 2024, offering free legal consultations to overseas Filipinos.
Organized in collaboration with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Quezon City Chapter (IBP-QC) and the Barcelona-based MSM Legal Consulting, the special one-day event attracted around 50 overseas Filipinos, a number of whom are recent arrivals.
The forum, led by IBP-QC President Atty. Melissa Encanto-Tagarda, discussed various legal issues faced by Filipinos with their association back in the Philippines, including child custody, inheritance, and marital separations.
Attendees were also informed how to access legal aid in the Philippines through the IBP, despite residing abroad. "Many OFWs are unaware of their legal rights and the mechanism that is available through IBP for legal services, kahit na nasa Spain sila," Atty. Encanto-Tagarda stated. "This event aims to bridge that knowledge gap when it comes to accessing justice in the Philippines."
Following the forum, participants took the opportunity for one-on-one consultations with IBP lawyers, addressing specific legal concerns.
MSM Legal Consulting Head Atty. Manuel Silva discussed pathways to residency in Spain, including issues on family petition, employment, student and work visas, etc. He also provided updates on the widely-discussed proposals to reform Spain's migration law, including plans to reduce the number of residence permit types and streamline administrative processes.
Barcelona is a primary destination of foreign migrants, including irregular ones. While moving to Spain may appear straightforward—especially for those already within the Schengen region—Consul Raisa A. Mabayo highlighted the unique challenges faced by newly arrived Filipinos, “Spain's efforts to simplify residency requirements are a welcome development; however, we must study how these plans to streamline processes would potentially impact irregular migration in Spain”.
The Legal Empowerment Day event is part of the Philippine Consulate's ongoing efforts to support the Filipino community in Spain, with plans for similar events in the future to address the evolving legal needs of Overseas Filipinos.
For more information and updates, please visit the Consulate's official website or follow on Facebook, Instagram and X (@PHinBarcelona).
MSM Legal Consulting Head Atty. Manuel Silva addresses questions from the Filipino Community regarding temporary residence issues, as well as concerns on employment, study, petition, etc. (Photo by Barcelona PCG)
An overseas Filipino (middle) in Barcelona engaged in private free consultations with IBP lawyers Atty. Rodolfo John Paul Palattao (rightmost) and Atty. Angelica Rose Dimalanta (leftmost), receiving tailored legal advice. More than a dozen more availed the free legal consultation on family law, property rights, scams, cyberbullying, and immigration issues. (Photo by Barcelona PCG)
The Legal Empowerment Day gathered around 50 Filipinos, many of whom are newly arrived Filipinos, from Barcelona and neighboring areas for legal discussions, including one-on-one consultations. (Photo by Barcelona PCG)
The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona, in collaboration with officials from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Quezon City Chapter, hosted “Legal Empowerment Day” on 16 November 2024. Plans are underway to formalize a partnership between the Consulate and the IBP to better serve the Filipino community in Barcelona and surrounding areas. (Photo by Barcelona PCG)