The judicial body of Barangay San Antonio (BSA), Pasig City was lauded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the outstanding performance in its peacekeeping efforts. During the Barangay Assembly Day on Thursday, March 30, BSA Chairman Raymond Lising announced that its “Lupong Tagapamaya,” passed the latest evaluation of the DILG on the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA). According to the DILG, the LTIA annually searches for peace bodies that “demonstrate the ability to judiciously and expeditiously resolve cases referred to them and demonstrate exemplary performance and commendable contribution in the promotion and implementation of Katarungang Pambarangay.” “Ang atin pong tagapagpamayapa ngayon ay talagang very empowered na po, talagang very active doon sa pakikipagtulungan sa DILG (Our peace council is now very empowered and active in working with the DILG),” Lising said. The chairman said the barangay government oversaw eight cases, seven civil cases and a criminal case. Five of these have been settled, while a certificate to file action has been issued for one other case. The status of the other two are still pending. The barangay government aims to continue strengthening its peace councils and dispute settlement efforts in adherence with the Pasig City local government’s commitment to the DILG’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program. In occasions such as Barangay Assembly Days, DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. previously urged barangay leaders to help encourage residents to support its programs, particularly in relation to the anti-illegal drug use campaign of BIDA. “Gamitin natin ang makabuluhang pagtitipon na ito upang tulungan ang buong pamahalaan para mapababa ang demand sa iligal na droga at sisimulan natin 'yan sa ating mga pamayanan. Naniniwala ako na kaya nating gawin ito basta’t magtutulungan tayo (Let us use this important event to help the government lower the demand for illegal drugs and we can start that in our communities. I believe that we can accomplish this as long as we will cooperate with each other),” Abalos said. The BSA government has implemented many programs complementary to the BIDA program, focusing on the health and education for students and senior citizens. These include the disbursement of allowances and tuition fees to around 140 college students. The barangay government has estimated that it has a P3 million running balance of disbursed allowances and an P8-million running balance of disbursed tuition fees. Seniors in BSA also get medical support, birthday gift packs, and cash gifts worth P1,000 every midyear and P500 every Christmas. Free cancer screenings are also offered in partnership with local hospitals. “Rest assured, that we, in the BSA Barangay Council will create more community-centered programs for our kabarangays. And will continue and further improve our current programs,” he said.