ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Justice – Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (DOJ-OADR), in collaboration with the City Government of Zamboanga, is spearheading a three-day training to enhance mediation skills and promote access to justice at the barangay level.
Dubbed the Course on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) under the Katarungang Pambarangay Law for the Justice Zone: City of Zamboanga, the training runs from March 25 to 27 at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) gym. The event gathers barangay officials and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, equipping them with essential knowledge on the fundamental principles of ADR in the Philippines, particularly Republic Act No. 9285. Participants are also trained in interest-based mediation, arbitration, and conciliation to effectively manage conflicts in their communities.
Atty. Margaret Raizza Andaman of DOJ-OADR emphasized the significance of ADR in resolving disputes efficiently at the community level. She highlighted the importance of effective communication, professionalism, and ethics in fostering harmonious relationships among community members.
“We are grateful to the City Government of Zamboanga, under the leadership of Mayor John Dalipe, for its unwavering support in advancing this initiative. This program benefits barangay officials and their constituents by empowering them with the skills needed to resolve disputes amicably and efficiently,” Atty. Andaman stated.
One of the primary objectives of the training is to help Zamboanga City barangays excel in the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award at the national level. This initiative aligns with the implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay Course under the Justice Sector Convergence Program of the Justice Sector Coordinating Council. It also supports the mandate of OADR to institutionalize ADR mechanisms for the prompt resolution of disputes.
The opening program was attended by key officials, including City Barangay Affairs Division Chief Rodolfo Lim, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-9) Regional Director Paisal Abutazil (represented by Legal Officer IV Atty. Lisanie Obaob-Carpio), Individually Accredited Neutral Atty. Rodel Taton, OADR Training Specialist IV Criselle Moya-Pobre, OADR Director III Reinalyne Vidaron-Varias, and DILG City Director Ginagene Vaño-Uy. Representatives from the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) and staff from OADR, DILG-9, WMSU, and other concerned agencies were also present.
The training underscores the commitment of the DOJ-OADR and the City Government of Zamboanga to strengthen barangay-level justice systems, ensuring that disputes are settled fairly and efficiently within the community.