BAGUIO CITY – The City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) unanimously approved a resolution creating a Special Action Committee (SAC) on Justice and defining its functions.
Under CPOC Resolution No. 14, series of 2025, the SAC on Justice will be chaired by Judge Mia Joy Cawed of the city’s Regional Trial Court while the vice chairperson will be the Regional Public Attorney of the Public Attorney’s Office. The members are the City Prosecutor’s Office, City Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Baguio field office, City Director of the Baguio City Police Office , jail wardens of the female and male dorms of the Baguio City Jail, provincial officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Baguio-Benguet office, City Legal Officer, City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Chairperson of the City Council Committee on Public Protection, Safety and Peace and Order, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay–Baguio City chapter, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, president of the Youth on Point, president of the Youth for Peace and president of the Uplife Movement.
Among the functions of the special body are to recommend policies, projects, programs and activities that foster peace and order and improve access to justice to the community for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development in the city; facilitate and enable intensified coordination among the five pillars of the criminal justice system in the council while fully observing the independence of the judiciary and the dictates of impartial dispensation of justice as exemplified by the constant dialogues and appropriate monitoring mechanisms; bring about a coherent and consistent effective sectoral approach for the safe, air and humane administration of justice; work together in resolving issues affecting the justice system, peace and order by adopting a coordinated approach in planning and coordination in the council and maximize the participation and expertise of offices on the justice sector and other concerned council members to implement the principle of accessible justice for varied sectors of society.
The CPOC chaired by mayor Benjamin B. Magalong stated that the creation of an additional SAC on Justice, led by the Baguio City Justice Zone, plays a vital role in the council for effective and efficient communication, coordination and collaboration between the members of the body for the speedy and accessible administration of justice and peace and order.
Under the pertinent provisions of the 1987 Constitution, the State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Further, the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
It added that the State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.
Moreover, the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. The State shall also protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. The State also recognizes and promote the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development. The State shall encourage non-governmental community-based or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation By Dexter A. See
