Members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa from San Carlos City and the municipality of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the provincial government for initiating the series of Transformative Mediation Training-Workshops through the Provincial Planning and Development Office, in cooperation with the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) in the province.
A total of 74 lupon members, who composed the third batch of trainees, completed the three-day training-workshop held July 9-11, 2025 at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
The first batch of trainees, composed of 46 lupon members from the cities of La Carlota and Escalante, completed the training March 18-20, while the second batch of 67 lupon members from Cadiz City and Ilog completed the training June 18-20.
The training-workshop, conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), with Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II as co-secretariat, is an expanded program on transformative mediation training to strengthen local governance through the conduct of appropriate interventions designed to empower lupon members and other barangay leaders.
Punong barangays from all over the province initially underwent similar trainings since 2008, in collaboration with LnB, that is now being led by ABC President and SP Member Richard Julius Sablan; it was later expanded for the lupon members and other barangay leaders.
Lupon member Elenita Cabanilla of Brgy. Cambarus, Pontevedra, at the closing of the training last week, said that as a new and first-time member of the lupon, she somehow felt at a loss and had no clear idea on her role and responsibilities as a lupon in her barangay.
She said that after attending the training, it seemed that she had a 360-degree turn because the activity was truly enlightening and helpful, especially as they were taught about the value of 3 Ps – Pamati (listen), Paraphrase, and Pamangkot (ask questions) – in handling and settling conflicts and disputes.
Ed Jalbuena, a Department of Education school principal and member of the Mediators Network of the Philippines, served as the main resource person, with PPDO staff as facilitators.
Cabanilla said Jalbuena did not only share his knowledge, but his love for his work. She further said that they are truly grateful, and that they are excited to share what they have learned with their fellow lupon members as well as other officials in their barangays.
Lupon member Neceforo Requieron of Brgy. 2, San Carlos City, on the other hand, said that after attending the training, he has come up with a comparison between the “old school” and the “new school”.
“I admit that before the training, my method of mediating was focused on settling or coming up with an agreement right away, without considering their true feelings, or if both parties were ever satisfied with it. I only thought about my own satisfaction.”
After learning and listening from all the lessons about the comprehensive mediation process following the 3Ps, it is not about simply settling the cases anymore, but more importantly helping the parties restore good relationships, Requieron said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who addressed the lupon members at the opening day of the training, reiterated that, as the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community.
“As the primary and frontline mediation body, our barangays and lupon have both the responsibility and the opportunity to prevent conflicts from escalating and being brought to the courts for more adversarial proceedings,” Lacson said.
More than just settling disputes amicably, the lupon must also strive to mend the relationships of its conflicted community members, the governor added. “We aspire, not only for the absence of conflict, but most importantly, the presence of harmony and understanding in the community.”
PPDO officer-in-charge Anna Marie Lucasan, on the other hand, told participants that the training endeavors to let them think properly while resolving disputes in their barangays, clearly identifying issues, and treating all parties fairly.
She said that if the lupon members can continuously practice their communication skills, which is one of the vital parts in mediation, then they are on the right track. | NWI
