City officials recently expressed support of the city government to the Baguio City Justice Zone (BCJZ) and urging the full participation of partner line agencies of the national government as well as in the academe, and the civil society organizations in the programs of the same.
Under Resolution No. 021, series of 2024, city legislators stated that those partner agencies that are crucial to improve administration of justice are the Supreme Court; the Department of Justice, the Office of the City Prosecutor, the Public Attorney’s Office, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Patrol and Probation Board and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
In June 2022, Baguio was launched as the 9th Justice Zone in the country after similar zones were previously established in Balanga, Bacolod and Cebu, among many others.
Currently, there are 11 Justice Zones that had been established around the archipelago purposely to advance justice for all.
The council claimed that the establishment of Justice Zones aims to maximize the participation and expertise of offices in the justice sector to implement the principle of accessible justice for varied sectors of the society.
Further, the city government as a member of the BCJZ is represented through the different offices, namely, the City Mayor’s Office, the City Legal Office, and the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Likewise, the council’s Committee on Public Protection and Safety, Peace, and Order and the Committee on Social services, Women, and Urban Poor as well as the Committee on Barangay Affairs, and the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development, are members.
Recently, the BCJZ is led by Judge Mia Joy Cawed as Convenor and Atty. Henry M. Francisco as Co-Convenor.
The body stipulated that since the launching of the BCJZ, its members have been successful in holding a series of trainings and consultations on topics that range from the Katarungang Pambarangay Law, land ownership, and antipastos law, the anti-violence against women and their children law, the anti-trafficking in persons law and the special protection of children against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination law.
Moreover, with what has already been accomplished, the BCJZ aims to further enhance its activities moving forward, increasing the reach of its programs to the city residents.
The council pointed out that the said notable drive will be best accomplished with the support of both the executive and legislative arms of the city, thus, the need for the full participation of the partners in the line agencies of the national government as well as in the academe, with civil society organizations in the programs of the BCJZ.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the concerned government agencies for their information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
