The city government has awarded cash incentives to its outstanding Lupon (peace committee) for their exemplary performance in settling disputes at the grassroots or barangay level.

Leading this year’s awardees is the Lupon Tagapamayapa of Barangay 1 San Lorenzo, a vote-rich village in the city.

In time for the city’s 58th Charter Day anniversary, San Lorenzo officials received a plaque of recognition and a PHP25,000 cash incentive from the city government during the awarding ceremony held in front of the City Hall on Monday, June 19.

In 2022, the same village emerged as the overall winner out of the 80 barangays of Laoag.

Barangays 3 Nuestra Señora Del Rosario and 16 San Jacinto, which placed first and second runners up respectively, also received PHP20,000 and PHP15,000 in cash incentives while 12 other finalists received a certificate of recognition and PHP5,000 cash reward.

The best Lupon was judged based on their innovative/creative techniques/best practices in settling disputes, record keeping, timely submission of reports, and conduct of regular meetings exclusively for the barangay justice system.

Laoag City Mayor Michael M. Keon lauded the efforts and commitment of village officials as well as members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa for their support and cooperation in making the city peaceful and liveable.

“Thank you for your hard work and commitment in supporting the city government’s thrusts especially when it comes to the maintenance of peace and order in your respective barangays,” he said.

In receiving the award, San Lorenzo Punong Barangay and Lupon chairperson Melvyn Santos said it is a “great pride and honor” for his barangay to reclaim the “title” as the best-performing Lupon among other barangays in the city.

The Lupon Tagapamayapa is the body that comprises the barangay justice system.

It is organized to effect extrajudicial settlement of minor cases involving barangay residents.

On the same day, the city government in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed various livelihood projects and “Negosyo sa Kariton” for the Federated Laoag City Rural Improvement Club (RIC), malunggay powder processor for the Zamboanga RIC and a rice trading project for the city agricultural and fishery council.

“We are so grateful to the city government led by our mayor and the DOLE for this livelihood aid. We really need it for our malunggay processing,” said Emily Guzman of the Zamboanga RIC.

Laoag City is currently promoting malunggay powder as a “superfood” ingredient of various food and non-food products in the province.

Through the government’s various intervention programs to provide livelihood training, including those on food processing, malunggay leaves are now turned into noodles, cookies, pretzels, pan de sal (Filipino bread roll), and beauty products such as soaps, lotions and many others. (PNA)