Avila Law Office

18/03/2026

Avila Law Office is honored to acknowledge the participation and contribution of Atty. Leoderico P. Avila, Jr. in the ordinance formulation workshop held on March 11–12, 2026 in Butuan City, where representatives of local government units, enforcement agencies, and partner institutions came together to further refine policy measures supporting the sardines fisheries management plan in Fisheries Management Area 9 (FMA-9). The activity focused on strengthening proposed local ordinances, particularly those intended to support the implementation of the sardines closed season across FMA-9 coastal LGUs. 

As noted by BFAR Caraga, Atty. Avila provided the legal guidance for the workshop and led the legal and institutional review of the draft ordinance. He helped guide the participants in examining key provisions on definitions, authority, penalties, and consistency with existing national policies, including Republic Act No. 10654, to help ensure that the proposed ordinances remain responsive, enforceable, and aligned with Philippine fisheries laws and regulations. 

For our Office, this participation reflects a continuing commitment to legal service that reaches beyond advocacy in the courtroom. It is also about standing with communities, local governments, and institutions in the shared work of building policies that protect livelihoods, preserve marine resources, and promote responsible stewardship of our seas for future generations.

We are proud of Atty. Avila’s contribution to this collaborative effort—one that brings together law, science, policy, and community action in support of sustainable fisheries governance in Caraga. Meaningful legal work is not only about resolving disputes, but also about helping craft sound measures that strengthen institutions and serve the public good.

At Avila Law Office, we remain committed to legal service that supports not only clients and communities, but also good governance, environmental stewardship, and institution-building.

Photo credits: BFAR Caraga
Source: BFAR Caraga

14/10/2025

Public Advisory: Impersonation/Phishing Emails

We have been informed that unknown individuals are misusing the name of our law office and my father’s name to send emails that demand or threaten the filing of cases. These messages are being sent from [email protected].

These emails did not come from us. Please:
• Do not reply, click links, or download attachments
• Disregard and delete the message
• Report the incident to the proper authorities (e.g., NBI Cybercrime Division or PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group)

For verification, Avila Law Office communicates only through [email protected] and our official channels. We are already coordinating with the proper authorities regarding this matter.

A redacted sample of the fraudulent email is attached for awareness. Thank you for your vigilance.

20/09/2025

We are proud to share that Atty. Leoderico Avila Jr. recently served as a Resource Speaker at the Regional Fisheries Resource Management (FRM) Conference organized by DA-BFAR Caraga last September 16, 2025, in Butuan City.

With the theme “Sailing Stronger Together: Advancing Fisheries Resource Management in Caraga”, the conference brought together leaders from government, fisherfolk organizations, academe, civil society, and development partners. It formed part of the nationwide celebration of Fish Conservation Week 2025 and Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo).

Atty. Avila shared his insights on “The Role of Inter-LGU Alliances in Managing Shared Fishing Grounds: The Case of the Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA),” highlighting the importance of collaboration among local governments in protecting marine ecosystems and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

We extend our gratitude to BFAR Caraga for the opportunity to contribute to this vital conversation on sustainable fisheries governance. Events like these reaffirm the value of partnership and shared responsibility in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.

🌊 Together, let’s continue sailing stronger for Caraga’s fisheries and communities!

15/06/2025

🌊 Honored to Serve, Proud to Share. 🐟

Atty. Leoderico P. Avila, Jr., LBDA Executive Director, was recognized by the DENR Region XIII for his exceptional contribution as Guest Speaker during the Marine Protected Areas Network (MPAN) Summit held on June 9–10, 2025, at the Balanghai Hotel, Butuan City.

His message called for stronger collaboration, community-driven conservation, and protection of LGU rights over our coastal waters — an urgent cause for our oceans and our people. ⚖️🌱🌊

Thank you, DENR Caraga, for the recognition! Together, let’s continue to champion Sustainable Oceans and Resilient Communities.

18/12/2024

Advancing Marine Conservation Efforts in Mindanao

Last December 4-6, Atty. LP Avila Jr participated in the Mindanao Regional Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Validation Workshop & Marine Protected Area (MPA) Forum at Seda Centrio, Cagayan de Oro City.

This event is part of the Philippines 30x30 Project, implemented by MERF-MSN in collaboration with CI Philippines, Oceana, Rare, and WWF-Philippines, to support the DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB). The workshops focused on updating Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (MKBAs) and identifying priority areas to achieve the 30x30 target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMBF).

Atty. Avila, as Executive Director of the Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA), presented Lanuza Bay as a Marine KBA, highlighting its best practices in Marine Protected Area/Network management, as well as the challenges faced by the alliance in protecting and conserving this vital marine ecosystem.

Through collaborative efforts like this, we move closer to securing the future of our country’s rich marine biodiversity. 🌊💙

26/09/2024

26/09/2024

🎉 **Proud Moment Alert!** 🎉

We are incredibly honored to receive Certificates of Appreciation from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 13 for our commitment to sustainable fisheries management and conservation efforts.

During the capping off of the 61st Fish Conservation Week last September 20, 2024, Atty. Leoderico P. Avila, Jr. received the following awards from BFAR Caraga Region through RD Omnia B. Olama:

🏆 **Lanuza Bay Development Alliance** was recognized for its outstanding contribution to fisheries management and conservation, particularly in promoting sustainable practices in the Lanuza Bay area.

🏅 **Atty. Leoderico Avila Jr.** also received recognition for his dedication and support in advancing good governance and environmental protection.

This acknowledgment strengthens our passion to continue advocating for the protection of our marine resources and the empowerment of local communities. Thank you to BFAR Region 13 for this recognition and for partnering with us in this journey towards a sustainable future! 🌊🌍

07/09/2024

Our Managing Partner, Atty. Leoderico P. Avila, Jr., and at the same time the Executive Director of Lanuza Bay Development Alliance (LBDA), was one of the resource speakers in the recent Forum on Lessons Learned, Good Practices, Innovations, and Success Stories of Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga.

As key participant, Atty. LPA shared his experiences and expertise in the effective management of MPAs and MPANs related to Strengthening the Marine Protected Areas to Conserve Marine Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines (SMARTSeas) Project, emphasizing our firm’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibilities.

Participating in this impactful discussion fuels our dedication to a greener and more sustainable future.

Photos courtesy of DENR Caraga