Marking the beginning of a meaningful collaboration, Saint Louis University (SLU), through its President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Dativa Cristobal Foundation Inc. (DCF), represented by DCF President Mr. Benjamin C. Abellera, during a courtesy visit by DCF on February 7, 2024 at the Admin Center, Fr. Burgos Building, SLU Main Campus.
The MOA grants financial assistance to the University, through its School of Law’s CJ Moran Community Legal Assistance Office (CJMMCLAO), to be used for the conduct of legal assistance programs and provision of free public legal services.
The CJ Moran Community Legal Assistance Office is a legal clinic manned primarily by student law practitioners, as they provide free legal services to the public and most especially the underprivileged. With the funding provided, CJMMCLAO will be able to strengthen the reach of their free legal services and provide counseling, seminars, legal training, as well as educational workshops to empower women and children. The donations will also be utilized for outreach programs, as the CJMMCLAO together with DCF aim to further their reach and provide services to those in need, especially women and children who fall victim to violence and abuse.
“Saint Louis University is eager to make the most out of this generous gesture,” Fr. Sales claimed after the signing, as this is part of the University’s goal to cultivate the development of local responsiveness and missionary vision not only within the university, but the community altogether.
While this is the University’s first collaboration with DCF, the School of Law’s Dean, Atty. Jerico G. Gay-ya, expressed his hopeful remarks towards the “vision of this [collaboration] being yearly.” (University Information Office, Antonio Lim, Jr.)
This collaboration is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). The CICM Advocacy of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) is likewise strengthened.
