MAYOR Sebastian Duterte signed Executive Order No. 33 on Monday, an order “institutionalizing the Support of the City Government of Davao to the Davao City Justice Zone.”
EO 33 stated that institutionalization will ensure that the Davao City Justice Zone fulfills its “desire to enable access to justice and contribute towards national and local coordinated justice actions.”
The order stated that the zone must formulate measures to improve the delivery of just, responsive, and accountable justice services.
Such measures, however, may be raised in the Sanguniang Panlungsod for consideration and appropriate legislation and budgeting.
These measures should conform and not contradict the policies set by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).
The order added the zone may formulate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with specific institutions and organizations to create partnerships and strengthen justice service delivery.
The body will be led by the executive judge of the Davao City Regional Trial Court with the coordinating agencies: LGU Davao departments, CADAC, PNP, Supreme Court-Hall of Justice-Davao City, Department of Justice-Office of the City Prosecutor, law schools in the city, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and government line agencies.
Lawmakers kickstarted the Davao City Justice Zone in March 2019. However, they recognized the need to provide long-term interventions for enhanced administration of justice.
To note, the 20th City Council approved the passage of the Davao City Justice Zone Ordinance on its third and final reading on Tuesday, September 3.
Councilor Lorenzo Villafuerte, chairperson of the Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights and the proponent earlier said the institutionalization will operationalize the Davao Swift Justice Program.
Davao Swift Justice Program highlights include strengthening the barangay justice system, especially the Lupong Tagapamayapa to positively impact court and jail congestion in the city, as solving a small dispute at the barangay level is a huge contribution in the long run.
The program will also decongest local detention facilities as it will address the court’s staff shortage and will hasten the disposition of cases.
The councilor said upon approval of the budget, the plantilla positions will follow as current staff in the courts are under the city’s hired through job order.
The city’s justice zone is one of the three institutionalized, among 16 total operating zones in the country.
