On the screen: Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta delivering his message. On the stage (front left to right): DOJ USec. Jon Paulo Salvahan, Supreme Court Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva, and DILG USec. Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri; (back left to right): RDC Co-Chairperson ladislao L. Andal and Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco

Calamba City, Laguna was launched as the 7th Justice Zone in the Philippines and the first  Justice Zone in CALABARZON last March 17. A justice zone is an area where local justice actors such as police, prosecutors, judges, public attorneys and managers of detention facilities work together to address cross cutting challenges on the justice system.  

In his message, DOJ Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said, “the pandemic further aggravated the shortages in the justice system, but the European Union has been helping address the challenges in the Justice Sector”.  In response, European Union (EU) Ambassador Luc Véron said, “the EU is always ready to assist to strengthen the country’s justice sector for the efficient delivery of service through the Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice, which included the establishment of Justice Zones.”

VIPs during Ribbon Cutting (from left to right): Counselor Joey Chipeco, RDC Co-Chairperson Ladislao L. Andal, DILG USec. Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri, Laguna Governor Ramil L. Hernandez, Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc SB. Chipeco, DOJ USec. Jon Paulo Salvahan, Supreme Court Deputy Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva.
From left to right: RDC Secretary and NEDA Region IV-A Asst. Regional Director Gina T. Gacusan, DILG Region IV-A Ariel O. Iglesia, DILG USec. Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri and RDC Co-Chairperson Ladislao L. Andal
Usec. Echiverri, RDC Co-Chairperson Andal, Mayor Chipeco and RTC Executive Judge Ramos during their speeches.

On behalf of RDC Chairperson Hermilando I. Mandanas, RDC Co-Chairperson Ladislao L. Andal expressed his congratulations and appreciation to the city’s stakeholders for accepting the challenge to be the model justice zone in the Region. He said, “we encourage everyone to keep your passion burning in delivering justice for all. So, we could show everyone that the saying justice delayed is justice denied is no longer relevant in CALABARZON.”

The establishment of a Justice Zone in CALABARZON is one of the banner projects of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Committee on Macroeconomy and Development Administration. The Committee in partnership with the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) evaluated and selected the pilot Justice Zone in CALABARZON.

Laurece Francia R. Tanyag, NEDA Region IV-A | March 19, 2021, Photos by: Calamba City LGU and NEDA Region IV-A