DILG reports P2.3 billion saved as "Lupon" settles disputes

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that the government generated an estimated P2.3-billion in savings last year through the amicable settlement of disputes at the barangay level by the Lupong Tagapamayapa or the barangay-dispute mediator councils, all over the country.

In a statement furnished to The FREEMAN, DILG Undersecretary Austere Panadero said that the figure is the estimated amount of adjudication costs of 248,030 disputes that could have otherwise been directly filed in courts, if not for the effective intervention of lupong tagapamayapa established in each barangay nationwide.

The adjudication cost per case is approximately P9,500.

Citing records from the Bureau of Local Government Supervision which is tasked to monitor lupong tagapamayapas nationwide, of the 307,516 disputes that were lodged before lupons all over the country, 80.66 percent or 248,030 were settled by the lupons through different modes of settlement.

Of the said figure, only 13,253 or 4.3% of the disputes were issued Certificates to File Action, and 46,233 or 15.03% were withdrawn by the complainant or referred to appropriate agencies.

The same records also show that Region VII lupons settled the most number of cases with 44,465, followed by NCR with 34,287, and Region III with 31,020.

The DILG statement added that the nature of cases that were issued Certificates to File Action include estafa, physical injury, breach of contract, land disputes, theft, arson and recovery of property.

It can be recalled that 12 outstanding lupong tagapamayapa have been recognized during the 2009 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives  Awards for their exemplary performance in resolving disputes in their respective communities.

Barangay Adlaon in Cebu City was adjudged second runner-up for the highly urbanized cities while barangay Villadolid in Carcar, Cebu won in the first to third class municipalities category. (THE FREEMAN)