The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office IV-A has recognized four outstanding barangay justice committees or lupong tagapamayapa for their excellent performance in sustaining the operations of Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) through its awards program Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives and Awards (LTIA).
The incentive and award were conferred by Regional Director Manuel Q. Gotis, members of the Regional Awards Committee, and other key officials of the DILG IV-A during the Regional Awarding Ceremony held on Wednesday, July 25, in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
Emphasizing the essential role of lupong tagapamayapa, Gotis lauds the efforts of the outstanding lupons in settling neighborhood disputes which contribute to ensuring peace and order in their communities.
“Saludo po kami sa inyong ginagawa. Tunay na hindi po mapapantayan at hindi mababayaran ang inyong katapatan sa pagsisilbi sa inyong mga barangay,” says Gotis.
“Malayo na ang narating ng Katarungang Pambarangay program at malaki na rin ang naiambag ninyo para sa pagpapanatili ng katahimikan at kapayapaan sa inyong mga barangay,” he added.
Gotis added that the annual awards program not just recognized outstanding lupong tagapamayapa but also served as their means of encouraging other barangays to strengthen their barangay justice systems.
Declared as this year’s outstanding lupong tagapamayapa are Brgy. Marketview, Lucena City for Highly Urbanized City Category; Brgy. Molino VI, City of Bacoor, Cavite for Component City Category; Brgy. Tulay Silangan, Maragondon, Cavite for 1st to 3rd Class Municipality Category; and Brgy. Sintorisan, San Antonio, Quezon for 4th to 6th Class Municipality Category.
Each of the regional winners received a plaque of recognition and cash prize amounting to P50,000 which is expected to be utilized for the operations of their respective barangay justice system.
Established in 1997, LTIA is a means to institutionalize a system of granting economic benefits and other incentives to the lupon that demonstrates exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots level. It also aims to generate awareness and support on the Katarungang Pambarangay as a potent vehicle toward social order and human development.
The winners were chosen by the Regional Awards Committee based on the following criteria: efficiency in operations; effectiveness in securing settlement of interpersonal dispute objectives of the KP; creativity and resourcefulness of the lupon; area of facility for KP; and financial or non-financial support.