ILOILO CITY — A long-awaited new justice hub is moving closer to reality as the Iloilo City Government formally turned over 7,000 square meters of city-owned land in Barangay San Pedro, Molo District, for the construction of a new Hall of Justice and centralized prosecution complex.
The project comes as Iloilo’s justice sector faces two major pressures: the rapid increase in prosecutors assigned to Western Visayas and continuing concerns over the condition and functionality of the decades-old Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice.
The deed of donation and memorandum of agreement were signed on August 25 by Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas, Justice Secretary Frederick Vida, and Supreme Court Court Administrator Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta.
A 7,000-Square-Meter Home for Justice
Under the agreement, 4,000 square meters of the donated property will be used by the Supreme Court for the new Hall of Justice, while the remaining 3,000 square meters will accommodate the Department of Justice’s Regional, Provincial, and City Prosecutors’ Offices.
The new complex is envisioned as a centralized facility where courts and prosecution offices can operate in a safer, more accessible and more integrated environment.
The property is located in Barangay San Pedro, Molo, in an area near other government facilities and the Iloilo River Esplanade.
The city government’s donation follows months of discussions between local officials, the judiciary and the Department of Justice over the need for a permanent replacement for the existing Hall of Justice.
33 New Prosecutors Add Pressure on Office Space
The need has become even more urgent as the number of prosecutors in Western Visayas has increased.
Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said 33 new prosecutors were appointed to Western Visayas during the past year, after the region received no new prosecutor appointments from 2016 to 2022.
About half of the newly appointed prosecutors were assigned to the Iloilo City and Iloilo Provincial Prosecution Offices, according to Vida.
While the additional personnel strengthen the government’s prosecution capacity, they have also created a greater need for adequate offices, facilities and working space.
The expansion comes at a time when prosecutors are already dealing with heavy caseloads, limited resources and offices operating from different locations.
That fragmentation is one of the problems the proposed complex is designed to address.
Why Iloilo Needs a New Hall of Justice
The existing Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice has faced structural concerns for years.
The building, completed in 1992, sustained cracks following a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in February 2012 and was subsequently retrofitted.
Concerns resurfaced after a series of strong earthquakes in 2025, prompting several courts to temporarily relocate as a precaution.
The displacement has left Iloilo’s justice system spread across several facilities.
According to Panay News, 14 Regional Trial Court offices are operating at the New Castle Hotel, while six Municipal Trial Court in Cities offices are housed in a nearby annex and another MTCC office is temporarily located at the hotel.
The Public Attorney’s Office regional and Iloilo City district offices moved to Casa Real de Iloilo, while the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office transferred to the Iloilo Sports Complex.
The Philippine News Agency likewise reported that the old Hall of Justice became a pressing concern after the 2025 earthquakes disrupted operations.
Following another magnitude 4.8 earthquake on March 2, 2026, an internal inspection reportedly found no additional damage, while a separate structural assessment was also sought from the Department of Public Works and Highways Regional Office 6.
More Than a New Building
Officials say the proposed justice complex is not simply about replacing an aging structure.
It is intended to bring courts and prosecution offices closer together after years of operating from separate locations.
For the public, that could mean a more centralized system for accessing justice-related services, while judges, prosecutors and court personnel would have facilities designed for their current operational needs.
Vida described the project as part of a broader effort to make the justice system more accessible and efficient.
Mayor Treñas, meanwhile, said the city’s decision to provide land for the project reflects its commitment to strengthening institutions that protect the rule of law.
The Supreme Court also emphasized the importance of safe and dignified court facilities. Court Administrator Gomez-Estoesta recalled visiting Iloilo after the 2025 earthquake and said the judiciary remained committed to providing courts that are safe, accessible and worthy of public trust.
The Road Ahead
The project is not expected to rise overnight.
SunStar Iloilo reported that 181 informal settler families currently occupying the property will receive relocation assistance before site clearing. The agreements also provide a period for the Supreme Court and DOJ to utilize the property, subject to the terms of the donation.
The city is expected to undertake land surveys, segregation and relocation-related requirements before construction can proceed.
The proposed complex therefore represents the beginning of a longer process — one that aims to give Iloilo’s courts and prosecutors a permanent base after years of disruption.
For a justice system already stretched by additional personnel, heavy caseloads and scattered offices, the question is no longer simply where justice will be administered.
It is whether Iloilo can build a justice system capable of keeping pace with the growing demand — while ensuring that the people delivering it have a safe and functional place to work.
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