Manila, March 31 -- The new hall of justice (HOJ) in Barangay 2, Dapa, Surigao del Norte will further enhance judicial services in Mindanao, the Supreme Court said on Monday.

In a news release, the SC said the new HOJ, which will house Dapa Regional Trial Court Branch 31 and the Dapa-Socorro Municipal Trial Court, was inaugurated on Saturday in ceremonies led by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez.

Super Typhoon Odette damaged the old courthouses in 2021, and construction of the new HOJ started on Nov. 28, 2022.

In his message, Gesmundo commended the dedication and resilience of court employees who continued to uphold the highest standards of justice despite the difficulties and devastation they f...