DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recognized nine outstanding barangay justice committees or lupong tagapamayapa for their excellent performance in settling neighborhood disputes during the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) ceremony held Dec. 7 at the Provincial Convention Center in Dumaguete City.
DILG OIC-Provincial Director Farah Gentuya said this annual award system gives recognition to lupong tagapamayapa members with the Punong Barangay as chair, for their invaluable performance in maintaining peace in their respective barangays.
Declared as Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa for 2021 winners are Brgy. Motong, Dumaguete City (component city category); Brgy. Poblacion of Sta. Catalina (1st to 3rd class category); and Brgy. Poblacion, San Jose (4th to 6th class category).
Gentuya said DILG-7 also recognized Brgy. Motong as the second placer in the regional level search for LTIA.
The efforts of LTIA winners in facilitating for amicable settlement of neighborhood clashes have lessened the court dockets as such cases have not been filed in regular courts.
Each of the provincial winners received a cash award of P45,000 and a plaque of recognition and an additional of P10,000 as regional 2nd runner up winners for barangays Motong and Poblacion in Sta. Catalina, and 3rd runner up for Brgy. Poblacion, San Jose in the region.
LTIA, established pursuant to Executive Order 394 in 1997, aims to institutionalize a system of granting economic benefits to outstanding lupons, strengthen the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) as an indigenous conflict resolution structure at the grassroots, and generate awareness and support on the KP as a potent vehicle toward social order and human development.
The winners were chosen by an inter-agency Board of Judges organized by the Provincial Awards Committee on the basis of the following criteria: efficiency in operation; effectiveness in securing the objectives of the Katarungang Pambarangay program; creativity and resourcefulness of the lupon; area or facility for KP activities; and financial or non-financial support.
The evaluator-committee include Philippine Information Agency, Department of Justice or Provincial Prosecutor's Office, Office of the Provincial Board, and DILG.
The DILG said all disputes, civil and criminal in nature, where parties actually reside in the same city or municipality are subjected to proceedings of amicable settlement.
Among the cases that can be handled by the lupong tagapamayapa are the following: alarms and scandals; less serious physical injuries; slight physical injuries and maltreatment; unlawful arrest; light and grave coercion; simple seduction; issuing checks without sufficient funds; removal, sale or pledge of mortgaged property; and qualified trespass to dwelling (without use of violence and intimidation). (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
