ILOILO City – Some offices at the Chief Justice Ramon Q. Avanceña Hall of Justice on Bonifacio Drive are off limits to the public today for disinfection and contact tracing.
A personnel at the Hall of Justice tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
All branches of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) and Municipal Trial Court in Cities as well as the Offices of the Clerks of Court and Mediation temporarily halted their operation, according to Judge Victorino Maniba Jr., the designated spokesperson for the four-storey Hall of Justice.
Maniba, however, was not able to provide further information about the COVID-19 case.
It was Executive Judge Victor Gelvezon of the RTC 6 who issued a notice dated Oct. 15 regarding the conduct of the disinfection.
Gelvezon said the move had the approval of Deputy Court Administrator Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino.
“Provided that said disinfection will be supervised to ensure the protection and security of court records and property and provided also that a work from home arrangement must be maintained,” read part of the notice read.
Gelvezon also encouraged the Public Attorney’s Office and Provincial Prosecution Office and Parole and Probation Office to likewise suspend their office to avoid untowards incidents during the disinfection.
This is the third time that the Hall of Justice building is shutting down for disinfection.
Previously, an employee and a lawyer attending a hearing tested positive for the viral infection./PN
