Negros Occ. governor urges Lupon to restore harmony

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Barangay Lupon members must go beyond amicably settling disputes and strive to restore relationships among community members in conflict.

Lacson addressed Lupon members and emphasized that the barangay, as the basic political unit, serves as the primary planning and implementing body for government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities.

He said barangays and Lupon, as frontline mediation bodies, have the responsibility and opportunity to prevent disputes from escalating into adversarial court proceedings.

“We aspire not only for the absence of conflict, but most importantly, for the presence of harmony and understanding in the community,” Lacson said.

Members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa from San Carlos City and the municipality of Pontevedra expressed appreciation to the provincial government for initiating a series of transformative mediation training-workshops.

The activity was organized by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) in cooperation with the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) in Negros Occidental.

A total of 74 Lupon members comprising the third batch of trainees completed the three-day training held July 9–11, 2025, at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City.

The first batch, composed of 46 Lupon members from La Carlota and Escalante, completed their training March 18–20, 2025.

The second batch, with 67 participants from Cadiz City and Ilog, finished theirs June 18–20, 2025.

The workshop, held in collaboration with the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), is an expanded program on transformative mediation aimed at strengthening local governance through targeted interventions that empower Lupon members and other barangay leaders.

Barangay captains across the province have undergone the same training since 2008, initially in partnership with LnB, now led by ABC president and SP member Richard Julius Sablan.

The program has since expanded to include Lupon members and other barangay officials.

Lupon member Elenita Cabanilla of Barangay Cambarus, Pontevedra, said she initially felt lost in her role as a new member but found the training enlightening and helpful.

She said the training gave her a “360-degree” shift in perspective, particularly with the introduction of the 3 Ps — Pamati (listen), Paraphrase, and Pamangkot (ask questions) — in managing disputes.

Ed Jalbuena, a school principal under the Department of Education and member of the Mediators Network of the Philippines, served as the main resource person, with PPDO staff as facilitators.

Cabanilla said Jalbuena not only shared his expertise but also his passion for mediation.

She added that participants were eager to share what they had learned with fellow Lupon members and barangay officials.

Lupon member Neceforo Requieron of Barangay 2, San Carlos City, said the training helped him reflect on his traditional approach to mediation.

“I admit that before the training, I focused only on reaching an agreement without considering whether both parties were truly satisfied,” he said.

Requieron said the 3 Ps taught him that mediation is not just about settling disputes but also about restoring relationships.

PPDO officer-in-charge Anna Marie Lucasan told participants the training aims to help them think critically, clearly identify issues, and treat all parties fairly when resolving disputes.

She said that consistent practice of communication — a vital element of mediation — will keep Lupon members on the right path.