Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 394)
The Katarungang Pambarangay is a system created under Presidential Decree No. 1508 that organizes the tradition of amicably settling disputes in a barangay without judicial recourse, emphasizing mediation, conciliation, and arbitration by the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
The categories are: a) Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa in Highly-Urbanized Cities; b) Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa in Component Cities; c) Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa in First to Third Class Municipalities; d) Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa in Fourth to Sixth Class Municipalities.
The objectives are to strengthen the Katarungang Pambarangay as an indigenous conflict resolution system, institutionalize granting economic benefits and other incentives to exemplary Lupons, and generate awareness and support for the Katarungang Pambarangay among various sectors of society.
The committee is composed of: Chairperson - Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Vice-Chairperson - Secretary of the Department of Justice; Members - National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Representative of the National Peace and Order Council, and two Private Sector/NGO Representatives. A representative from the Supreme Court may also be invited.
The committee initiates and coordinates activities for the awards, sets selection guidelines and criteria, organizes local awards committees, secures funding and prizes, selects national awardees from regional nominees, proclaims national awardees, and plans and implements awarding ceremonies.
For 1996, funding was allocated from the President's Social Fund (PSF), amounting to P2,000,000 for operations and P3,800,000 for cash awards. Subsequent funding is included in the DILG's annual budget, with additional funding sourced from committee members and the private sector.
National awardees receive a Presidential Trophy and a P300,000 development grant. Regional awardees receive a P50,000 development grant and a special plaque.
Section 406b of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160) mandates the DILG to grant economic or other incentives to outstanding Lupons in recognition of their contribution to the Katarungang Pambarangay objectives.
The executive order took effect immediately upon its signing on January 22, 1997.