SAMAL, Bataan — The agriculture village of Sta. Lucia here was named winner in Region-3 for 2022 in the recently-concluded search for outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa or barangay pacification committee under the Katarungang Pambarangay.
Sta. Lucia represented Bataan in the regional level after being adjudged first place in the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) in the province under the 4th to 6th class municipality category.
The LTIA committee that takes charge of the assessment, validation and selection processes is chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Sta. Lucia punong barangay Ruperto Forbes said with the award was a cash incentive of P50,000.
“Gagamitin namin ito para lalo pang makatulong sa Katarungang Pambarangay upang lalo pang madagdagan ang aming kaalaman at karunungan patungkol sa pagharap ng iba’t ibang problema na idinudulog sa aming barangay,” he said.
Forbes as barangay chairman heads the Lupong Tagapamayapa consisting of 10 members. “Ang Lupon ang humaharap sa mga idinudulog na problema sa barangay kapag hindi nareresolba ng punong barangay.”
He thanked his constituents for the achievement that he said would not be possible if not for their cooperation. “Sa aking mga kababayan na lagi naming katuwang sa tagumpay na ito sapagka’t lagi silang nadiyan para suportahan ang Katarungang Pambarangay.”
“May tiwala sila sa lupon upang idulog ang kung anumang problema at suliranin na mayroon sila upang hindi na ito makarating pa sa korte. Kaya panawagan ko, kung sino man ang may nais na mapaglingkuran ng Katarungang Pambarangay ay welcome sila dito sa barangay,” Forbes added.
Barangay officials from Pagudpod, Ilocos Norte on Thursday were the first visitors of Barangay Sta. Lucia after winning the regional award.
Forbes said the visitors wanted to learn of Sta. Lucia’s best practices in its justice system. He said they came from 16 barangays of Pagudpod sending three representatives each.
“Ang layunin ng pagtungo ng mga ito sa aming barangay ay upang malaman kung ano ang mga naging dahilan kung bakit namin naipagwagi ang Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards sa buong Region 3,” he said.
Laurice Aguinaldo, Pagudpod municipal local government officer, confirmed what Forbes said on the purpose of their visit. With her were either barangay chairmen or barangay secretary or Lupong Tagapamayapa members of 46 individuals.
“Sta. Lucia being the regional winner, we recognize that they are implementing the Katarungang Pambarangay in efficient and effective manner and we believe that our village officials will learn from this barangay,” Aguinaldo said.
She said that like the town of Samal, Pagudpod is in a 4th class municipality.
