Affirming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for peaceful dispute settlement, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday underscored the role of Lupong Tagapamayapa nationwide in strengthening the justice system by curbing the population of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) through settling disputes at the barangay level.

During this year’s National Awarding Ceremony for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) held at Quezon City, Remulla lauded awardees in supporting jail decongestion and maintaining peace among communities.

“Kung walang lupon ng barangay mas puno pa ang ating mga preso. Kayo ang sandigan ng ating katahimikan sa mga barangay,” Remulla said.

The LTIA is the government’s recognition and incentive program for Lupons that exhibit exemplary implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP). Assessment is based on their operational efficiency, effectiveness in securing the settlement, creativity and resourcefulness in strategies, facilities for KP activities, and acquired support from other stakeholders.

As the Chairperson of the National Awards Committee (NAC), Remulla commended the lupons for driving peacebuilding through amicable settlement.“Kayo po ang nagtatrabaho para magbigay ng hustisya at maging tulay para sa pagkakaintindihan ng mga miyembro ng inyong mga barangay.” he said.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Randolph Pascasio seconded that peace cannot be attained solely through legalism, but also through dialogue with proactive facilitation of community leaders.

Also present during the ceremony were DILG Undersecretary for Peace and Order Nestor B Sanares, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Philippine National Police Deputy Chief PNP for Administration PLtGen. Bernard Banac, Office of the President representative Atty. Roy Joseph Parian, DILG Executives and DILG Regional Directors, among others.

Among this year’s national winners are Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City for the Highly Urbanized Cities (HUC) Category; and Barangay Poblacion Zone 20, Baybay City, Leyte for the Component / Independent Component Cities (C/ICC) Category.

The champions for the 1st Class to 6th Class Municipality Category are Barangay Rizal, Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Barangay Barugohay Norte, Carigara, Leyte; Barangay Talas, Sulop, Davao del Sur; Barangay Poblacion, San Jose, Dinagat Islands; Barangay Sinian, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental; and Barangay Magallanes, Limasawa, Southern Leyte, respectively.

For the succeeding year, the DILG Chief proposed increasing the incentives from P300,000 to P500,000 for the national champions of each category.

With this move, the Department ensures that lupons are empowered to sustain effective administration of the KP system in pursuit of peace and justice among communities.