The barangay-level "Lupong Tagapamayapa" has saved around P4 billion in litigation cost for settling amicably community disputes that unclogged court dockets, Department of the interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. said on Monday, Dec. 11.

Abalos said such accomplishment only highlighted the importance of the "Lupong Tagapamayapa" (pacification committee) in every barangay.

This is the reason, he said, why he is pushing for the regularization of its members. along with  the barangay health workers (BHW) and barangay tanods to ensure the continuity of service in the communities.

During the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA) 2023 event, Abalos said the DILG fully supports the proposal in the legislative branch to institutionalize a system of providing economic benefits and other incentives under the proposed “Magna Carta for Barangay.”

Under the proposed law, barangay workers, including the Lupons, can receive an honorarium that is compatible with the current economy of the country and other benefits, Abalos explained.

Abalos also intends to seek the help of different universities to help train Lupon Tagapamayapa members in settling community disputes.

“Let’s set up a meeting with all of the universities all over the country. Let’s tap on the law schools to help us here, hindi lang ang LGA (Local Government Academy), to make sure na talagang lumawak ang capacity building natin (to enhance our capacity building prowess),” Abalos stated.

The LTIA 2023 winners are: Barangay Budla-an (Cebu City) for highly urbanized cities; Barangay Upper Katungal (Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat) for independent component cities (ICC); Barangay Poblacion (Tupi, South Cotabato) for first to third class municipalities; Barangay Ibabang Atingay (Magdalena, Laguna) for fourth to sixth class municipalities. 

The first and second runners-up are: Barangay Doongan (Butuan City) and Barangay Balibago (Angeles City) for HUCs; Barangay San Vicente (Binan City, Laguna) and Barangay Lawa-an (Roxas City, Capiz) for ICC and CC; Barangay Rizal (Bansalan, Davao Del Sur) and Barangay Cavite (Alangalang, Leyte) for first to third class municipalities; and Barangay Naburos (Baliangao, Misamis Occidental) and Barangay Otod (San Fernando, Romblon) for fourth to sixth  class towns. 

The LTIA, which started in 1982, was elevated to a Presidential Award by Executive Order 394, entitled “Establishing the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards” in 1997.