Barangay Budlaan tops 2020 Lupon Award

CEBU, Philippines —  Barangay Budlaan in Cebu City was named by the Department of Interior and Local Government as 2020 Most Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa.

Budlaan which bested 79 other barangays in Cebu City received P50,000 cash incentive from DILG-Cebu City at Bayfront Hotel.

Barangay Guadalupe, on the other hand, ranked second and took home P30,000 while Kalunasan at third with P20,000 incentive.

The rest of the five other finalists including barangays Buhisan, Busay, Bonbon, Bacayan, and Sirao also got P10,000 and a plaque each.

The eight barangays were awarded by DILG-VII for their exemplary performance in settling neighborhood disputes.

DILG-Cebu City officer-in-charge and 2020 Cebu City LTIA Awards Committee chairperson, Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, said the dedication of the Lupon towards the effective amicable settlement of disputes in the community has helped the government unclog the already congested court dockets and save billions of pesos.

For every case the Lupon settles, the government saves P9,500 which is the estimated adjudication cost, he said.

“More importantly, we commend your efforts for ensuring that justice, peace and the rule of law continue to prevail in our communities,” stressed Lucero.

Lucero also took the opportunity to thank the Cebu City Government led by Mayor Edgardo Labella for its support and in the efficient and effective implementation and administration of the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP).

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela, on the other hand, said the Lupon indeed has a vital contribution in the maintenance of peace and harmony in the community.

In Region 7 alone, close to 80 percent of the cases referred to the Lupong Tagapamayapa in 2019 were settled in their level, thus helping the government save an estimated sum of P307 million, read the DILG-Cebu City’s publication, Pakasaritaan.

“This is a cause of celebration although nasa pandemic tayo but malaki ang inyong naiambag. More than the savings of the government, gustong ipagpasalamat ng DILG ang pagiging mapayapa ng inyong community. This is our simple way of saying ‘thank you’ for your service,” Trovela said. — GMR (FREEMAN)