The signing of the deed of donation by Iloilo 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, Aug. 25.

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 Treñas, 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 Areño said in his briefer.

Areño said that over the years, the physical condition of the Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice building became a “pressing and dangerous concern.”

It was first exposed to a major earthquake in 2012. In 2025, the series of quakes caused structural concerns, serious enough to disrupt operations, he added.

Mayor Treñas, in her message, said it is clear to her that providing a permanent space for the Hall of Justice and prosecution services is one decision she is proud of.

She said the donation is “more than a transfer of land; it is an investment in public service, good governance and the enduring pursuit of justice.”

“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,” Treñas said.

Secretary Vida said that they gratefully accept the donation not as a valuable contribution of land but as a “profound expression of the city’s commitment to the rule of law and to the bringing of justice closer to the people.”

“The necessity for additional offices and facilities therefore could not be emphasized further. The donated property comes at a crucial time, providing the foundation upon which we can build facilities that will enable our justice workers to serve the public more effectively,” Vida said.

Under the deed of donation, DOJ and the SC have to develop the complex in the next three to five years.

The agreement signing also marked the 89th Charter Day anniversary of Iloilo City.PNA