By Rachel Magday

 

NUEVA VIZCAYA  Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to establish four additional Municipal Trial Court branches in Nueva Vizcaya, a measure aimed at bringing court services closer to residents and easing access to justice in far-flung communities.

House Bill No. 11171 proposes the creation of new Municipal Trial Court (MTC) branches in the towns of Diadi, Quezon, Santa Fe and Alfonso Castañeda.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where a counterpart bill must be deliberated upon and approved before it can advance further in the legislative process.

If the Senate approves its version, lawmakers will reconcile any differences between the House and Senate measures through a bicameral conference committee. The final enrolled bill will then be submitted to the President for signature.

Rep. Cayton said the House approval marked another important step toward improving access to judicial services for residents of Nueva Vizcaya.

“This is another significant step in bringing court services closer to the Vizcayanos,” Cayton said.

He said the additional court branches would help make it easier for residents to seek legal remedies and access justice without having to travel long distances to other court stations.

Cayton also reaffirmed his commitment to push for measures that would deliver concrete benefits to the Novo Vizcayanos.