The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomed officials from the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar – United Republic of Tanzania who were in the country for a study tour to gain insights on the Philippine government’s efforts in legal and justice sector coordination, particularly on the operational framework and best practices of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).

DILG Undersecretaries Jon Paulo Salvahan, Rolando Puno, and Omar Alexander Romero received the Zanzibar delegates led by Dr. Mzee Ali Haji, Deputy Principal Secretary of the President’s Office for Constitutional, Legal Affairs, and Good Governance at the DILG central office in Quezon City.

In his message during the visit, Undersecretary Salvahan expressed his appreciation to the foreign delegates for visiting the country and their interest on how the JSCC works. “This is a testament that JSCC emits positive impact not only locally, but also internationally,” he said.

He expressed hope that the delegates will be able to apply their learnings in their own policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms to improve coordination in the administration of justice in their country.

“The DILG, together with its partner agencies in the JSCC, shall always be of ready assistance and more than happy to share the best practices we have so far gained and experienced,” Salvahan said.

Now in its 15th year, the JSCC serves as a joint forum to converge efforts among justice sector institutions, namely the Supreme Court (SC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and DILG.

Among the Department’s JSCC initiatives and accomplishments presented to the delegates were the 77% resolution rate of Lupong Tagapamayapa, which helped save around PHP4.3 billion in litigation costs in 2024; creation of the Unified Forensic Data Management System portal; digitalization of the National Police Clearance; implementation of the E-dalaw system and intensified paralegal services, which resulted in the timely and proper release of 84,976 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL); and establishment of the Single Carpeta System (SCS) to streamline PDL records management.

The head of the Zanzibar delegation, Dr. Mzee Ali Haji, thanked and assured the DILG that they will apply their learnings in their home country.

“With what we have learned, we will do better to make sure that access to justice is for everyone. This is our intention, to make sure that everyone gets justice, no one gets left behind. This is the lesson that we got from you,” he said.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-shares-justice-sector-best-practices-with-Zanzibar-officials/NC-2025-1079