A SIX-storey building will be constructed along Candaleria Street, Ecoland Subdivision starting this year to house Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) affiliated offices, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.

Aguirre told reporters yesterday that the new building will house the offices of the Regional and Provincial Prosecutors together with other attached agencies of DOJ like the Public Attorneys’ Office (PAO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The target date of inauguration is in 2019.

Aguirre signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Friday with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the use of the 500-square meter city land for 50 years and can be extended for another 50 years.

Aguirre said he already made sure that the computer units and scanners are provided to be used by prosecution offices.

Meanwhile, Aguirre also said the DOJ needs 1,057 more prosecutors for the whole Philippines.

He said this is needed to fast-track 14,000 unresolved petitions.

Aguirre added that usually the process of appointment is also slow as it needs approval in Malacañang.

"Nagbigay kami sa Malacañang ng recommendation for 600 new prosecutors ngayon wala pang 50 ang naaprubahan," he said.

Aguirre said he already asked President Rodrigo R. Duterte for the amendment of National Prosecution Services law to allow him as secretary to appoint prosecutor I to VI because as of the moment he is only allowed to approve associate prosecution attorney.