The Negros Occidental provincial government has expanded its transformative mediation training program to better equip members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa in resolving conflicts in the barangays.
From March to July this year, 187 Lupon members and barangay leaders from six local government units (LGUs) have been trained through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) in cooperation with the province’s Liga ng mga Barangay.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II, in a statement yesterday, said the expanded program on transformative mediation training aims to strengthen local governance through the conduct of appropriate interventions designed to empower Lupon members and other barangay leaders.
A total of 74 Lupon members from San Carlos City and Pontevedra town attended the training workshop from July 9 to 11 at Negros Residences in Bacolod City, with Ed Jalbuena, a member of the Mediators Network of the Philippines, as the main resource person.
Previously, 67 participants from Cadiz City and Ilog town completed the training from June 18 to 20, while 46 members from the cities of La Carlota and Escalante trained from March 18 to 20.
PPDO officer-in-charge Anna Marie Lucasan said they were trained to resolve disputes by clearly identifying issues and treating all parties fairly.
“They are encouraged to continuously practice their communication skills, which are vital in mediation,” she added.
Lucasan said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson believes that as the primary and frontline mediation body, the barangays and the Lupon have both the responsibility and the opportunity to prevent conflicts from escalating and being brought to courts for more adversarial proceedings.
Lupon members Neceforo Requieron of Barangay 2, San Carlos City and Elenita Cabanilla of Barangay Cambarus, Pontevedra, welcomed the opportunity to learn about the comprehensive mediation process by following the 3Ps — Pamati (listen), Paraphrase and Pamangkot (ask questions) — to handle and settle conflicts and disputes.
“Before the training, my method of mediating was focused on settling or coming up with an agreement right away. I learned it is not just about settling the cases, but more importantly, helping the parties restore a good relationship,” Requieron said.
“I’m excited to share what I have learned with my fellow lupon members and other barangays,” Cabanilla said.
The province’s transformative mediation training program began in 2008, mainly for village chiefs, and later expanded to include the Lupon members and other barangay leaders. (PNA)