The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) on Monday noted significant contributions in delivering justice in real time as it counts its fifth year, with officials affirming that reforms undertaken by the council will expand in the future.

At the opening of the two-day JSCC Summit, the Council vowed to improve coordination, cooperation and communication among justice sector institutions and enhance the overall efficiency of the justice system.

The council is composed of the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Interior and Local Government and was established through a joint declaration and later institutionalized.

“The Justice Zones began with a straightforward proposition that coordination should not remain an idea discussed at the national level, but should reach places where justice is actually administered- on the ground, in the provinces, cities, and municipalities where our people live and work. This is the justice that the Filipino people feel, see, and live,” Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said during the Summit.

Justice Filomena Singh said the recent 2025 Governance in Justice (GOJUST) assessment shows what the 20 Justice Zones have achieved and their growth.

“Among stakeholders surveyed, 97 percent rated the Justice Zone model as good or excellent, while 85 percent said that the Zones meaningfully contributed to resolving justice issues in their localities. 66 percent reported measurable reductions in case backlogs, and 61 percent reported similar improvements in jail decongestion,” Singh said.

“Meanwhile, 92 percent recognized the JSCC’s role in influencing Justice Zone workplans, and 72 percent considered the JSCC responsive to their needs. Such empirical data is validating for us who have nurtured the Justice Zones from inception to what they are now: justice hubs that are accessible and responsive to their constituents,” she added.

The SC noted improved case disposition rates, reduced jail congestion, faster processing of parole and probation applications, and an increased number of preliminary investigation and inquest proceedings conducted and completed.

“These figures are encouraging, and they matter because they tell us that coordination is not merely about meetings, memoranda, circulars or a paper structure,” she said.

Singh said the JSCC developed the Victim-Sensitive Guidelines in the Justice System, which protect victims’ safety and privacy, support their right to information and services, support their recovery and rehabilitation, and provide special safeguards for children and persons with disabilities.

“I am happy to report that the Supreme Court en banc has approved these Guidelines for initial roll-out in all our Justice Zones, with nationwide implementation in all courts in the country to follow,” Singh added.

The DILG, for its part, said efforts to decongest the country’s jails have made gains, with the national jail congestion rate dropping by just 11 percent as of August 2026. (PNA)