Iloilo city: The signing of the deed of donation by this highly urbanized city with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Supreme Court (SC) sealed the proposed establishment of the Justice Complex in Barangay San Pedro in Molo District on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the complex will sit in the 7,000-square-meter lot donated by the city government. The 4,000 square meters will be for the new Hall of Justice, while the remaining 3,000 square meters will be for the offices of the regional, provincial, and city prosecutors.
Signatories to the agreement included Mayor Raisa Tre±as, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, and Supreme Court Administrator Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta. "Today, we are laying the groundwork for the permanent home of the rule of law in Iloilo City," Iloilo City Legal Officer Joseph Edward Are±o said in his briefer.
Are±o noted that the physical condition of the Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avance±a Hall of Justice building had become a "pressing and dangerous concern" over the years. The building was first exposed to a major earthquake in 2012, and by 2025, a series of quakes caused structural concerns serious enough to disrupt operations.
Mayor Tre±as, in her message, expressed pride in providing a permanent space for the Hall of Justice and prosecution services. She emphasized that the donation is "more than a transfer of land; it is an investment in public service, good governance and the enduring pursuit of justice."
Tre±as further stated, "We want this future Hall of Justice and Prosecution Complex to be more than functional spaces. We want them to become institutions that bring justice closer, make government more responsive, and serve our people with dignity."
Secretary Vida acknowledged the donation as a "profound expression of the city's commitment to the rule of law and to the bringing of justice closer to the people." He highlighted the necessity for additional offices and facilities and noted that the donated property comes at a crucial time, providing the foundation for building facilities that will enable justice workers to better serve the public.
Under the deed of donation, DOJ and the SC are required to develop the complex within the next three to five years. The agreement signing coincided with the 89th Charter Day anniversary of Iloilo City.
