The essence of the barangay justice system

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – In its bid to address the lack of public understanding and appreciation of the Barangay Justice System or The Katarungang Pambarangay Law as embodied in the Local Government Code, the Municipal Government of Dinalupihan led by Mayor Gila Garcia, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bataan Chapter organized a seminar on this matter, attended by the Punong Barangays and Barangay Secretaries from the 46 barangays of this Town, last October 23 & 24 at the Venezia Hotel in Subic.

Under this law, disputing parties are encouraged to make mutual concessions with the end in view of settling conflicts amicably, and at the same time, doing away with the costly and time consuming formal court litigation.

The procedure is participated in only by the conflicting parties and lawyers are prohibited from taking part in the deliberation of the case. Furthermore, since the decision of the Lupong Tagapamayapa hearing the case has the power and effect of the decision of a court, making it final and executory, the Law becomes a tool not only for declogging the courts but also in promoting the speedy administration of justice at a minimum cost on the part of the government and the litigants as well.

Among the resource persons were Mayor Gila Garcia who discussed the Vision-Mission of Dinalupihan, Mr. Eliseo de Guzman tackled the implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay Law while Punong Barangay Ramiro Tigas of Cataning, Balanga City shared insights in their effective implementation of the said law, their barangay being a recipient of DILG’s National Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award for this year together with Brgy. Kitang/Luz of Limay.