21 regional, city courts move to Upper Carmen next week

TWENTY-ONE regional and municipal courts in the city would have a new home starting Monday.

Regional Executive Judge Dennis Alcantar said the courts would relocate from city hall to Gold Ridge on Masterson Avenue near SM City in Upper Carmen.

Alcantar said 14 regional courts and seven municipal trial circuit courts would move to Upper Carmen.

“Starting first working day of October didto na sa taas gikan sa city hall,” he said.

All court hearings, issuances of permits and clearances would be made there.

“There will be wider spaces there. Gi-accommodate man lamang kami sa city Hall pagkasunog sa Hall of Justice. Gisingit kami og medyo napi-ot sila sa city hall,” Alcantar said.

But the Upper Carmen site would just be the courts’ temporary home because the government would rebuild the Hall of Justice near Xavier University. The construction project would start soon, according to Alcantara.

He said the plan is to demolish the old Hall of Justice building on Hayes Street and then construct a three- or four-story building.

“It would take a while to build that. As of now, they are on the process of bidding out,” Alcantar said.

The courts have been lumped together and squeezed into whatever spaces were available at city hall after fired destroyed the Hall of Justice in 2015.

Alcantar and MTCC Executive Judge Cesar Merlas thanked city hall for the support and hospitality they received, and for its patience during the two-year accommodation.

Merlas said the city courts have been partners of city hall as the local government enforces ordinances passed by the city council.

The city council’s information group quoted Merlas as saying, “We assure the city of Cagayan de Oro that we will continue to serve and function as members of the judiciary.” (lito rulona with clo)