WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY LAW?
The purpose of the Katarungang Pambarangay Law is best manifested in the preamble of the original decree on Barangay Justice (PD No. 1508). these are the following.
a. The perpetuation and official recognition of the time-honored tradition of amicably settling disputes among family and barangay members at the barangay level without judicial recourse would promote the speedy administration of justice and implement the constitutional mandate to preserve and develop Filipino culture and strengthen the family as a basic social institution.
b. The indiscriminate filing cases in the courts of justice contributes heavily and unjustifiably to the congestion of court dockets, thus causing a deterioration in the quality of justice.
c. In order to help relieve the courts of such docket congestion and thereby enhance the quality of justice dispensed by the courts, it is deemed desirable to formally organize and institutionalize a system of amicably settling disputes at the barangay level.
LUPON MEMBERS
PROFILE OF THE LUPON NOMINEE
Historical background of Barangay Ilwas shows that it had a Tamayoc River connecting along two barangays. The total estimated land area is 14 hectares with almost 4,000 households.
The barangay officials are responsible in the delivery of basic services in the community through the support of Municipal Mayor. To date, Punong Barangay Ariel R. Apostol have been in closed coordination with Mayo Jeffrey D. Khonghun, Senior Board Member Jefferson F. Khonghun, Congresswoman Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay and Gov. Amor Deloso in bringing about socio - economic and infrastructure projects along with the Subic, Zambales programs.
The Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) is a primary program in the barangay that caters and offers various solutions to the various conflicts among the residents using mediation and conciliation mechanisms for settling disputes. it is the cheapest and fastest way of getting justice because it resolved cases by coming into a win-win situation agreed by both parties without any legal counsel involved which usually makes cases arbitrary and expensive.
The Katarungang Pambarangay or the barangay justice system is an extra governmental mechanism aimed at perpetualizing the time - honored tradition of amicably settling disputes in a community without recourse to the formal legal system or confrontational social behavior.
The central feature of the system is the Lupong Tagapamayapa, a community based conflict resolution effort that is highly supportive of the notions of a social ordering and human development while the speedy administration of justice is the immediate concern of the Katarungang Pambarangay of equal important is leadership building and community empowerment as the resultant effects of institutionalizing the system. The Lupong Tagapamayapa mediators implore on mutual agreements that may result to most agreeable settlement by both parties.
The KP which serves and cater to the various conflicts aong the residents comprising not only cases which are legal in nature but even the emotional problems of the individual seeking solution to their problems. Since then, the KP has become the "shoulder to cry on among the reisdnts."
The strength of KP lies in the fact that is is based in the community itself, choosing of members rigorously done so that constituents can choose among qualified Lupon Members. In order to have fairer justice, constitution where carefully done according to the qualifications set forth by the Katarungang Pambarangay.
They came from various sectors of Ilwas geographically representing different puroks or areas in the barangay. Most of them came from among members of society that includes in the fileds of business, religous, peace and order seeing to it that they are respectable, reliable and capable of disposing healthy and just decisions and credible verdicts to victims and abusers.
Being exposed and experienced in the field, they dispense their duties effectively.Conflicts and problems seldom leave the barangay hall unsolved.
KP Trainings budgeted within the Barangay Annual Budget of this barangay under Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures under Item - Seminars and Trainings and all supplies needed is being budgeted under MOOE under Office Supplies for the whole year.
THe Sangguniang Barangay session hall is being used also as Katarungang Pambarangay Hall because of the narrow space of the barangay hall this is not a reason for us not to implement the Katarungang Pambarangay effectively.
KP Trainings is very effective for us in implementing the Katarungang Pambarangay law because in way back 1980s and 90s and early 2000s cases being entered/filed is very high (Total 60 - 80 cases per year) but when Punong Barangay Ariel R. Apostol is being elected as Punong Barangay implementation of KP is being prioritized that is why cases entered/filed in the barangay start to fall down for almost 50% a year from 60 cases to 30 cases.
The Municipalities evaluaiting team from 1st to 3rd class composed of DILG, Provincial Prosecutors Office and Provincial Court meet and assessed the entry submitted by Barangay Ilwas, Subic, Zambales, having complied with the criteria set. Barangay Ilwas was awarded as 2nd placer garnering an average score of 91% with only 2% less from the 1st place (93% - Botolan, Zambales) on December 09, 2008 at Iba, Zambales.
It is the objective of the Lupong Tagapamayapa of this barangay to be of great service to the constituents of Barangay Ilwas, Subic, Zambales and to the People of Subic, Zambales to instill justice at all times and bring about peaceful anf orderly society.
