DOJ allots P5M for construction of Palace of Justice building in Naga

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Justice has allocated P5 million for the construction of the Palace of Justice in Naga City.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong said the city will answer for additional expense.

He said the old building houses the Comelec, a postal office, and the Cebu Port Authority (CPA). An extension will house the Palace of Justice.

According to city administrator Arthur Villamor and city engineer Alpha Alojado, the Palace of Justice will have an area of 240 square meters where a two-story extension will be built that will house four courts of the Regional Trial Courts.

 Last Tuesday, the bidding of the construction of the project was done and construction will be started as soon as possible. It is expected to be finished this year.

According to Alojado that an estimated P12 million is the total budget to finish the whole project.

The Supreme Court will assign branch numbers to the new RTC branches.

Since the start of the 15th Congress until it was adjourned last February 6, President Aquino has signed 25 separate House bills in connection with the construction of 44 Regional Trial Courts, 13 Metropolitan Trial Courts, and four Municipal Trial Courts.  (FREEMAN)