CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Residents seeking legal services here may soon have a safer and more accessible venue for court proceedings after the City Council approved a resolution urging the Supreme Court to fast-track construction of a permanent Hall of Justice in Barangay Taguanao, Indahag.
During a regular session on June 22, 2026, 2nd District Councilor Maximo Rodriguez called on local lawmakers to adopt the measure requesting the high court to immediately implement the long-delayed project. Rodriguez noted the city has lacked a permanent courthouse for more than 10 years since a fire destroyed the old Hall of Justice on Jan. 30, 2015.
Court hearings are currently held in a temporary facility along Macapagal Drive. Rodriguez said the setup is inconvenient and unsafe for litigants, lawyers, court personnel, and the public due to limited space, traffic congestion, inadequate lighting, and small waiting areas.
“Wala tay insakto nga korte. Ang dignidad sa hudikatura, ang mga kaso ug mga gikasohan, ug labaw sa tanan, ang kaluwasan sa atong mga huwis ug ilang mga kauban dili sigurado kung madugay pa nato kini nga kahimtang sa siyudad,” Rodriguez said.
He stressed that a modern Hall of Justice is necessary to provide a secure, efficient, and dignified setting for the judiciary while improving public access.
The resolution passed its final reading. Rodriguez said the city's 2nd District congressional representative will follow up on the infrastructure project once the City Council transmits the resolution to the Supreme Court.
Councilors Joyleen Mercedes Balaba, Roger Abaday, and Marlo Tabac supported the measure.
Tabac, who has attended anti-drug case hearings involving residents of his barangay, described the temporary building as uncomfortable for the public.
“Init kaayo, looy kaayo ang maghulat sa gawas,” he said.
Balaba also backed the proposal, noting that Supreme Court officials inspected the proposed Indahag site in 2022.
“2026 na karon. We should push for this,” she said.
Rodriguez clarified that funding is already available because the budget for the new building is under the Supreme Court.
