AN ASSESSMENT OF LUPON TAGAPAMAYAPA IN SETTLING DISPUTES IN THE SELECTED BARANGAYS IN LUCENA CITY

Barangays in the Philippines are the smallest political subdivision where the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) or Barangay Justice System (BJS) is being utilized as an alternative, community-based mechanism for dispute resolution on conflicts between members of the same community. It formalized the Filipino tradition to seek the help of community elders or tribe leaders in resolving disputes between members. It was implemented based on various extents depending on its implementation where system gaps and lapses can be resolved through reviewing the system implementation. Thus, the researchers sought to conduct a study in assessing the level of implementation of the Barangay Justice System as a mechanism for settling disputes among communities. The study aimed to assess the capability of the Lupon Tagapamayapa in settling disputes using quantitative design utilizing the descriptive method of conducting a scientific investigation. Results show that the respondents have complete awareness on the system which found as effective, and that it was accepted by the Barangay Residents on the locale used in the study. The researchers used a random sampling technique in order to provide equal opportunity to the respondents who were purposively selected to answer the study. It was recommended by the researchers that the barangay justice system shall continue to uphold citizen's awareness in order to expose them to a more accessible and cost-efficient justice system. After the conducted study, the researchers drafted a Proposed Sustainability Plan in the Implementation of the Barangay Justice System which every Barangay can use to continuously implement the mechanism for settling disputes.