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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC, DOJ, DILG launch Justice Zone in La Union

SC, DOJ, DILG launch Justice Zone in La Union

Published May 22, 2026 10:33 am
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo led the launching on Thursday, May 21, of the Justice Zone (JZ) in San Fernando City, La Union where law enforcers, prosecutors, judges, correctional officers, and the public can regularly converge to exchange views on the effective and efficient administration of justice.
The San Fernando City JZ is the 20th set up by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) composed of the Supreme Court (SC), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The first JZ was launched in 2014 in Quezon City. Some JZs are specialized zones like those for anti-trafficking of persons set up n Zamboanga City; environmental protection in Puerto Princesa City; economic tourism in Tagaytay City; and anti-online sexual abuse and exploitation in Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Ozamiz City, Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and Calbayog City.
In his message during the launching in San Fernando City, Chief Justice Gesmundo said: “The launch of the City of San Fernando Justice Zone is a testament to the value of enhancing the linkages between the five pillars of the criminal justice system. It also reflects our collective commitment to improve the delivery of justice services through coordination and cooperation towards the goal of providing real-time and responsive justice.”
He also said that the setting up of JZs nationwide supports the SC’s five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) “which envisions a judiciary that is efficient, technology-driven, and people-centered.”
He stressed that under the SPJI’s outcome of efficiency, JZs strengthen coordination, reduce case delays, and ensure that justice is both swift and compassionate, especially for the most vulnerable.
The Chief Justice cited that in 2025 the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Program of the European Union, the development partner of the JSCC in the setting up of JZs, conducted a study on the impact of the JZs on their relevance, efficiency, quality, effectiveness, and sustainability.
He said the GOJUST’s study showed: “Eighty-five percent of stakeholders perceived that the Justice Zones in their respective localities have meaningfully contributed to the resolution of justice issues in their areas. Up to 58 percent of stakeholders indicated enhancements in the different stages of case processing, from the period of arrest to inquest, up to post-judgment release or referral. Sixty-six percent of stakeholders reported improved quality of case filing and trial readiness, 66 percent of stakeholders disclosed measurable reduction in case backlogs, while 61 percent reported improved jail decongestion rates.”
He also said that with the setting up of a JZ in San Fernando City, “we in the JSCC hope to bring this brand and level of justice services in your locality where institutions do not work in silos, but in partnership with each other, with the common objective of ensuring that the citizens of the City of San Fernando experience a justice system that is responsive, accessible, and worthy of their trust.”
Among those who were also present during the launching were SC Associate Justices Samuel H. Gaerlan and Jose Midas P. Marquez; DOJ Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato; DILG Undersecretary Jon Paulo Salvahan; Court Administrator Maria Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta; appellate court justices who are members of the JSCC’s technical working groups; Gov. Mario Eduardo C. Ortega; Parole and Probation Administrator Bienvenido O. Benitez; San Fernando City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto; and officials of GOJUST and Australian Embassy in the Philippines.

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