Baguio City Justice Zone

29/05/2026

𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠

The Baguio City Justice Zone, led by its Convenor, Executive Judge Michael V. Francisco, convened its partner stakeholders to further strengthen collaboration and build stronger linkages for future initiatives—advancing the shared mission of bringing justice closer to the community.

The meeting was attended by representatives from EU-GO JUST, CJMM CLAO - Saint Louis University School of Law, RTC-OCC, the IBP – Baguio-Benguet Chapter, the Public Attorney’s Office, the Parole and Probation Administration, OCC-MTCC, the City Prosecution Office, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, demonstrating a collective commitment to enhancing coordination and delivering more effective justice services.

Through a meaningful dialogue and continued partnerships, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to a responsive, accessible, and people-centered justice system that serves the needs of every sector of society.

06/05/2026

01/02/2026

The Justice Sector Coordinating Council conducted a two-day Implementation Workshop on Victim-Sensitive Guidelines at Citadines Bay Manila City Hotel, Pasay City on January 29 and 30, 2026.

The first day of the workshop were gathered by delegates from each of the 16 Justice Zones across the country.

Eight indicators were introduced namely the (1) Safety and Privacy of Victims; (2) Information and Services; (3) Evidence and Proceedings; (4) Interaction with Victims; (5) Inter-Agency Coordination for the Physical, Psychological, and Social-Recovery of Victims; (6) Forensic Evidence and Services; (7) Special Provisions for Child Victims; and (8) Special Provisions for Victims with Disabilities. These were discussed and deliberated on by answering how victim-sensitivity may be integrated in the unique circumstances of the respective Justice Zones and how it may move forward with its plans in making it inclusive in the justice system.

For the second day, the workshop was again joined by the 16 Justice Zones in the morning and remained 3 Justice Zones in the afternoon namely the Baguio City, Zamboanga City, and Cagayan De Oro City Justice Zones which were selected by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council as focused-areas in the roll-out and implementation of victim-sensitivity.

Before wrapping up, a quick closed discussion and deliberation on the the potential step by step processes and initiatives that the focused-area Justice Zones may introduce in their respective communities.

In a few months, delegates from all 16 Justice Zones will come together for the training of victim-sensitivity and cascade the concepts, strategies, and action-driven output to the agencies and/or offices the delegates belong.

Through the formed secretariat of each Justice Zone, the end-goal is to finally make victim-sensitivity inclusive in all members of the Justice Sector within the locality.

For the Baguio City Justice Zone were:

Hon. Michael V. Francisco
RTC Executive Judge and Convenor;

Atty. Dan Ian Vera Cruz Vergara
Public Attorney
Public Attorney's Office
CAR - Baguio City D.O.;

Ms Ellen M. Dayag
Social Welfare Officer
City Social Welfare and Development Office;

SJO2 Benjo B Urmaza
Community Relations Officer
Chief Development Unit
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Baguio City Male Dormitory;

SJO4 Emmanuel A Mataag
Chief Paralegal Unit
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Baguio City Male Dormitory; and

PCOL Ruel D Tagel
City Director
Philippine National Police
Baguio City Police Office

19/12/2025

The Baguio City Justice Zone held a two-day workshop highlighting the continuing efforts of its member agencies to improve access to justice in the city by strengthening inter-agency communication, coordination, and collaboration.

Hon. Judge Mia Joy C. Oallares-Cawed, Convenor from 2022 to 2025 formally turned over her duties and responsibilities to now Convenor and Executive Judge Michael V. Francisco.

Workshops were undertaken to determine the strategic direction of the Baguio City Justice Zone by reviewing its previous accomplishments and outlining its goals for the coming years. The participants also enjoyed team-building activities led by representatives of Governance in Justice Programme III.

10/12/2025

Thank you for allowing us to be of service!

29/11/2025

On November 28, 2025, representatives from the Baguio City Justice Zone and the BJMP Male and Female Dorms and Dr. Cornelio Naguit of the Rotary Club of Baguio signed a Memorandum an Agreement for the free medical services that the Rotarian will provide for the Persons Deprived of Liberty.

Dr. Naguit used to be based in the United States practicing family medicine as well as the management of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Our thanks to Dr. Naguit, the PDLs in the male and female dorms will benefit from free medical consultations twice a week starting December.

17/11/2025

Representatives from the Baguio City Justice Zone and the BJMP Male and Female Dorms held a productive meeting with Dr. Cornelio Naguit of the Rotary Club of Baguio for the free medical services that he will provide for the Persons Deprived of Liberty.

Dr. Naguit used to be based in the United States practicing family medicine as well as the management of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Our thanks to Dr. Naguit, the PDLs in the male and female dorms will benefit from free medical consultations twice a week starting December.

29/09/2025

📣📣📣

We’re excited to announce that the EU-GOJUST Grant Facility is opening a new Call for Proposals this October 2025!
The EU-GOJUST Programme, funded by the European Union, is offering grant opportunities to support justice sector reforms that amplify voices, uphold rights, and strengthen access to justice for all.

Are you working on people-centered justice initiatives?
Do you have innovative ideas to empower communities and transform lives?

This is your chance to:

✅ Innovate new approaches in justice
✅ Empower communities and rights-holders
✅ Transform access to justice at the grassroots level

📢 Stay tuned and spread the word!

We’re excited to announce that the EU-GOJUST Grant Facility is opening a new Call for Proposals this October 2025!
The EU-GOJUST Programme, funded by the European Union in the Philippines, is offering grant opportunities to support justice sector reforms that amplify voices, uphold rights, and strengthen access to justice for all.

Are you working on people-centered justice initiatives?
Do you have innovative ideas to empower communities and transform lives?

This is your chance to:

✅ Innovate new approaches in justice
✅ Empower communities and rights-holders
✅ Transform access to justice at the grassroots level

📢 Stay tuned and spread the word!

24/09/2025

Regional Public Attorney Henry M. Francisco, Vice Convenor of the Baguio City Justice Zone, reported its accomplishments from June to September 2025 in today's CPOC Meeting. His proposal to include the PAO as a member was also accepted by the body.