Data from the DILG’s Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) showed that 444,470 cases, or 86.53% of the 513,636 cases recorded nationwide, were settled at the barangay level through mediation, conciliation, and arbitration.
The estimated savings were based on the Supreme Court’s computation that the government spends approximately P9,500 in adjudication costs per case.
Under the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) system, disputes among community members are resolved through the Lupong Tagapamayapa, chaired by the punong barangay and composed of appointed lupon members.
Established under Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, the KP system operates across more than 42,000 barangays nationwide, providing communities with an accessible and less costly means of settling disputes without immediately resorting to formal litigation.
Beyond reducing government expenses, the system allows residents to resolve conflicts closer to home, helping prevent minor disagreements from escalating into prolonged legal disputes while easing the caseload of courts.
Meanwhile, 12,240 cases were recorded under other dispositions, including referrals to appropriate government agencies, withdrawals, repudiations, pending cases, dismissals, and issuances of certificates to file action.
To recognize barangays demonstrating excellence in community-based dispute resolution, the DILG will hold the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) on November 5, 2026, at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The DILG emphasized that strengthening the Katarungang Pambarangay system remains essential to expanding access to justice, promoting peaceful communities, and reducing congestion in the country’s courts.
Through effective barangay justice mechanisms, disputes can be settled where they begin, allowing residents to find timely resolutions while preserving community relationships.