San fernando: The Supreme Court has inaugurated the country's 20th justice zone in San Fernando, La Union. This marks a significant step in enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of the justice system in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, the justice zone is part of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) project. These zones act as localized hubs where key justice sector stakeholders such as police, prosecutors, public attorneys, and judges collaborate to streamline the resolution of cases and reduce congestion in courts.

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance of these zones. He stated that the City of San Fernando Justice Zone aims to foster collaboration among institutions, ensuring that citizens experience a justice system that is not only responsive and accessible but also trustworthy.

Since its inception in 2014 with the first justice zone in Quezon City, the initiative has seen the establishment of 19 similar zones across the country. A recent study highlighted the positive impact of these zones, with 85 percent of stakeholders acknowledging their role in addressing justice-related issues locally.

The study also revealed that 58 percent of stakeholders noticed improvements in various stages of case processing, from arrest through inquest to post-judgment release or referral. Additionally, 66 percent reported enhancements in the quality of case filing and trial readiness, while another 66 percent observed a measurable reduction in case backlogs. Furthermore, 61 percent noted improved jail decongestion rates, underscoring the effectiveness of the justice zone initiative.