KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY

PREFACE
KATARUNGANG Pambarangay: A Handbook is the
latest publication of the Philippines-Canada Local
Government Support Program (LGSP) as part of its
mandate to mainstream effective and responsive
barangay governance.
Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code
of 1991 expanded the scope and powers of the
Katarungang Pambarangay or the Barangay Justice
System designed not merely to decongest the courts
of cases but to address inequalities in access to
justice, particularly experienced by marginalized
communities. The barangays, being the basic
political unit in the country, is in the most strategic
position to facilitate resolution or mediation of
community and family disputes, alongside its
mandate to deliver basic services.
In empowering local government units in Western
Visayas and Mindanao, LGSP has designed initiatives
that strengthen barangay governance, including
enhancing and mainstreaming the use of and access
to the barangay justice system. The Katarungang
Pambarangay: A Handbook was designed to provide
a user-friendly, easy to read and simple tool to
promote the knowledge of the katarungang
pambarangay as an effective alternative mechanism
for dispute resolution.
This handbook aims to increase the
understanding of the Punong Barangays (barangay
heads) and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa
(Barangay Peace Council) on the processes and
procedures of the barangay justice system to enable
them to maximize its use in their communities. It is
also intended to provide a practical overview for the
KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY
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