OCA CIRCULAR NO. 16-2003, February 17, 2003

WHEREAS, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), in cooperation
and coordination with various organizations, has recently launched its
program dubbed as the “OPLAN JAIL DECONGESTION”, the purpose of which is
to decongest crowded jail facilities and to provide a more decent place
for inmates pursuant to existing rules and regulations;

WHEREAS, the Paralegal Society of the Philippines, the CARITAS
paralegals, the Bureau of Jail and Management, and different law schools
are involved in this project, as spearheaded by the National Committee
on Legal Aid (NCLA) of the IBP, and their respective trained paralegals
have recently been accredited as paralegals of the IBP in connection
with “OPLAN JAIL DECONGESTION”;

WHEREAS, the accredited paralegals of the IBP need the cooperation of
all Courts and their respective Clerks of Court in order that immediate
access to records of detainees who are due for release can be afforded
to them so as to fast track appropriate legal action;

WHEREAS, this Project is well in accordance with the full
implementation of the present Judicial Service Team Program of the
Office of the Court Administrator;

WHEREFORE, all Judges of the Regional Trial Courts, Circuit Criminal
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and all Clerks of Court are hereby
directed to coordinate and cooperate with the accredited Paralegals of
the IBP for the effective and efficient implementation of “OPLAN JAIL
DECONGESTION”.

PROPER COMPLIANCE IS HEREBY ENJOINED.

17 February 2003

Manila