Ozamiz City Special Justice Zone

Barely six months after its establishment, the Ozamiz City Special Justice Zone (OCSJZ) took a huge leap by staging its first activity to address the lack of awareness on the basic concepts of OSAEC and CSAEM of its constituents.

Barangay Chairpersons, Barangay Kagawads who chair the Barangay Women and Children Committee and the SK Chairpersons of the 51 barangays of Ozamiz City were made the attendees in a “Two-Day Training Workshop of the Barangay Key Officials on OSAEC and CSAEM” which was held last March 27-28, 2025 at the Royal Garden, Grand Ballroom/Function Hall, Ozamiz City.

The event was principally sponsored by the EU-GOJUST II, and the City Government of Ozamiz City.

Among the resource speakers with their respective topics were: Provincial Prosecutor Dickie Gongob and Atty. Sean Guiang of the Public Attorney’s Office on RA 11930 (OSAEC & CSAEM), Prosecutor Noel Boter (Anti-Trafficking Law), Atty. Ivy Manago (historical background of OSAEC), Ms. Arlene Via of DepEd (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) and Jhasanel Tamparong of the CSWDO (Trauma Informed Care).

The OCSJZ Convenor and RTC Executive Judge Mary Faith Potoy-Montederamos provided the overview of the event along with an Opening Remarks while OCSJZ Vice-Convenor and RTC Judge Grace Yulo introduced to the participants the significance of the justice zone. MTCC Judge Cleo Marjo Cabanilla facilitated the Open Forum during the event.

Significant guests who also lend credence and importance to the activity by taking the stage were the following: Vice Mayor Bebe Neri, SK Federation President JohnFel Duhaylungsod, PltCol. Harvey Abellanosa, Atty. Daniel Lao, Atty. Lhem Naval, Atty. James Donato of the EU-GOJUST II and Engr. Nel of the SC-PMO.

In order to ensure that the attendees understood the substantive lecture series, a workshop was held where the participants showcased their knowledge and understanding of OSAEC & CSAEM and their artistic, dramatic flair. At this point, volunteer lawyers from the IBP-MisOcc Chapter led the eight paricipating groups in a dramatic skit which showed the participants’ possible response to these crimes in their barangays.

To culminate the event, each barangay chair/leader of the 51 barangays of Ozamiz City signed on a covenant enclosed on a Wall of Commitment as a gesture of his and her barangay’s unified and unwavering stand against OSAEC & CSAEM.

The event was made more entertaining by the hosts coming from the MU College of Law and the Ram SamSam icebreaker, among others. Gifts and tokens from the Office of the City Mayor of Ozamiz City were also given to some lucky and winning participants.

Overall, the participants went home after the two-day event well-informed and well-entertained. This is to ensure that the purpose of the activity would be well-entrenched in them.

Padayon, Hustisya.

Padayon, Asenso.

(The OCSJZ was established last September 3, 2024.)