Conciliation seminar for Lupons proposed

After realizing that the establishment of the Lupong Tagapamayapa in each barangay has notably helped decongest the courts of cases that dealt with mostly domestic problems, councilor Edgardo Labella has proposed a seminar workshop on conciliation, mediation and arbitration for the members of the Lupon to boost their performances all the more.

Conciliation, mediation and arbitration are the "premier techniques being harnessed by the Lupong Tagapamayapa in addressing disputes in the barangays," this according to Labella, who heads the committee on laws, ordinances, public accountability and good government.

In his proposed resolution, the councilor asked the city council to approve the amount of P252,845 for the conduct of 12 seminar workshops covering the 80 barangays. The seminar workshop will start from May to December, which will be spearheaded by his committee and the Liga ng mga Lupong Tagapamayapa.

Labella said the seminar proper will be "hinged on the conduct of workshop, role play and demonstration procedures to be facilitated by the trainors and resource persons selected by the Liga ng mga Lupong Tagapamayapa."

Giving the Lupon the task of settling most especially domestic issues and concerns would lessen the responsibility of the barangay captain in maintaining peace and order in the community.

There are 8,194 assorted cases filed at the level of the barangays in the city from January to November 2005 based on the records of the Department of Interior and Local Government. Around 4,208 were mediated; 2,784 were conciliated; 2,343 pending; 1,031 dismissed; 554 arbitrated, 801 certified and 22 repudiated.

The DILG report, according to Labella, stressed that the government saves about P10,000 for every case settled by the Lupon at barangay level.

"The overarching pluses of the actions undertaken by the Lupong Tagapamayapa are significantly felt in the spheres of declogging court cases, restoring human relations and promoting peace and order in the barangays of Cebu City," Labella said.

To ensure the attendance of the Lupon, an accreditation system through DILG will be instituted. - Garry B. Lao