Mindanao – The Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines announced the successful field testing of a mobile videoconferencing court bus, a pioneering initiative to extend legal services to remote and far-flung areas. The test was conducted in Barangay Basak, Magpet, Cotabato.
According to Philippines News Agency, the field testing under the supervision of Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier was completed last week, approximately 30 kilometers north of the nearest court in Kidapawan. The bus is equipped with videoconferencing devices, wireless connectivity, and technicians to ensure uninterrupted proceedings. The initiative aims to bring courts closer to underserved communities and facilitate the testimony of witnesses in remote areas or those unable to travel to courts.
This videoconferencing bus is a reconfiguration of the mobile court bus under the Court’s Enhance Justice on Wheels (EJOW) Program. The EJOW program previously focused on mobile court hearings, court-annexed mediation, and providing free legal, medical, and dental aid to inmates nationwide. Justice Lazaro-Javier highlighted the benefit of allowing witnesses to testify in the comfort of the bus, making them more comfortable and forthcoming in their testimonies.