Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday emphasized the need to promote alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration, to ensure more accessible, efficient justice for Filipinos. DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez reaffirmed this commitment during the 22nd anniversary of the enactment of Republic Act (RA) 9285 or the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act of 2004.
According to Philippines News Agency, Vasquez said the law institutionalized ADR mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration to promote speedy, affordable dispute resolution outside the traditional court system, adding that it has always been the mandate of the DOJ to deliver justice to every Filipino. "Every Filipino, regardless of their distance from the capital, must know that a peaceful resolution is always within their reach," Vasquez said as quoted in a news release.
As the nation commemorates over two decades of ADR implementation, the DOJ emphasized the critical role of ADR in expanding access to justice through convenient, cost-efficient, and non-adversarial processes. The department highlighted key initiatives supporting ADR implementation, including the issuance of Department Circular No. 031 on June 13, 2023, which provides for the Pilot Implementation of the 2023 Rules on Mediation in the City Prosecution Offices within the National Capital Region (NCR), the comprehensive mediation trainings and programs conducted by the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC), in partnership with the OADR, across the country, among others.
These initiatives have contributed to the growing number of trained ADR personnel, increased public awareness, and heightened interest in ADR accreditation. The DOJ likewise recognized ADR practitioners and advocates across organizations, communities, and barangays as frontliners in expanding access to justice at the grassroots level.
As the DOJ continues to pursue the full institutionalization of ADR nationwide, it called on all stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders to embrace ADR not merely as an alternative but as a primary approach to conflict resolution.
