Cebu will once again take center stage as it is slated to host of the upcoming 12th Asia Pro Bono Conference (12APBC) from December 1 to 3, 2023 — the first time for the said event to be held in the Philippines.
Renowned lawyer Regal Oliva, along with the national and local heads of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, visited Gov. Gwen Garcia on Wednesday to inform her of this important gathering happening in Cebu, marking the event’s resumption after the pandemic.
This annual gathering is expected to draw hundreds of delegates such as lawyers, paralegals, academics, law students, jurists, members of civil society, governmental policymakers, and representatives of non-profit and for-profit organizations from various countries. They will come together to discuss current pro bono work and share their best practices.
Gov. Garcia was elated with the news and said the Capitol will host a welcome dinner for the delegates.
Also initially discussed was the possibility for Capitol to organize a special leg of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo specially dedicated for the delegates. Gov. Garcia wants the delegates to discover the many beautiful destinations and culture around the province.
To recall, Cebu recently hosted several meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council or ABAC here, drawing hundreds of delegates from APEC economies.
The 12APBC will host a variety of sessions, interactive workshops and presentations led by experienced local, regional, and international participants engaged in supporting and strengthening pro bono initiatives.
Since its inception in the Laos PDR in 2012, the APBC has grown to become the largest annual gathering of individuals supporting or engaged in access to justice, pro bono, and public interest law in Asia. This milestone event emphasizes and celebrates pro bono legal work conducted across Asia and around the world. | Carlo Lorenciana