The Justice Zone model, a flagship initiative of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), has received overwhelming positive feedback, with 97 percent of stakeholders rating it as good to excellent, according to a review by the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) III Program.
The GOJUST Program, supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Development Law Organization and the United Nations Office for Project Services, presented the findings of its Review and Assessment of the Impact of the Justice Zone Model to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmuudo and Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh last 29 October 2025.
Justice Zones are designed as “local pockets of efficiency” where justice sector units within a locality coordinate to ensure the timely delivery of justice.
The assessment showed strong belief in their efficacy, with 85 percent of stakeholders stating the zones meaningfully contribute to resolving justice issues, and 83 percent confirming they help address pressing local justice concerns.
Improvements were noted across multiple stages of case processing, as at least 66 percent of stakeholders reported enhanced quality of case filing and trial readiness, while 91 percent found the workplan process clear and useful.
The JSCC’s role in shaping Justice Zone workplans was recognized by 92 percent of respondents. Concrete outcomes of the initiative include measurable reductions in case backlogs, reported by 66 percent of stakeholders, and improved jail decongestion.
Sixteen Justice Zones currently operate nationwide, including specialized zones such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Justice Zone in Zamboanga, the Tourism Justice Zone in Tagaytay City, the Green Justice Zone in Puerto Princesa City, and the Tri-City Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Justice Zone covering Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Ozamiz City.
