Manila: The Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) is moving toward digitalization of its case filing and monitoring systems and hiring additional adjudicators to accelerate the resolution of housing and land dispute cases.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Thursday, HSAC's newly appointed Executive Commissioner Avelino Tolentino III vowed to make its services more accessible and efficient. He said that while the commission's ruling remains sound, with more than 90 percent of HSAC decisions affirmed by the Court of Appeals, the speed at which the cases are resolved could still be improved.

Tolentino mentioned discussions have already begun with Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on the possibility of increasing the number of adjudicators, especially since they are presidential appointees. He emphasized that more adjudicators would facilitate faster resolution of both pending cases and new cases coming to HSAC.

Tolentino also noted that, typically, cases take a little over a year from filing to disposition, although decisions are released in just over 100 days once cases are deemed submitted. Besides staffing reforms, HSAC is looking to strengthen digital systems, aligning with DHSUD's eight-point agenda and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to digitalize government services.

He indicated that the agency is considering creating a dedicated group to handle innovation and plans to benchmark with other quasi-judicial and judicial bodies to adopt proven digital practices. Additionally, Tolentino highlighted the need for faster case resolution to be paired with effective enforcement. There is ongoing coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for additional sheriff positions to ensure decisions are promptly implemented.

Tolentino stressed the importance of organizational development within HSAC, aiming to ensure a full and well-equipped staff. Training initiatives are planned to guarantee that everyone in HSAC operates with fairness, reasonableness, and efficiency.