Advisers

Irene D. Gaviola, MSCJ

Discipline

Criminology

Abstract

The Barangay Lupon Tagapamayapa, or Barangay Justice System, plays a vital role in resolving conflicts at the community level in the Philippines. It facilitates the local settlement of disputes to maintain peace and reduce the burden on formal courts. In Barangay 168, Lupon members are essential in managing conflicts, although they frequently encounter challenges stemming from limited training and resources. This study aimed to assess the role of a training program in enhancing conflict resolution skills among members of Barangay Lupon in Barangay 168, Caloocan City. The respondents included 20 Lupon members who are directly involved in resolving conflicts and 30 community leaders from the locality, totaling fifty (50) participants. These respondents provided insights, experiences, and suggestions regarding the effectiveness of the training program and its impact on improving conflict resolution abilities. The researchers employed purposive and stratified sampling techniques to select participants, ensuring that every member of the target population had an equal chance of being chosen. Before data collection, the researchers prepared and submitted a formal request to the management of Barangay 168 for approval to conduct the study. After obtaining approval, the researchers approached the respondents and personally distributed the questionnaires. Before administering the survey, the purpose of the study was clearly explained to all participants. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents were females aged 40 to 50 years old, with over 11 years of residence or service in Barangay 168 Deparo. Training programs had a significant positive impact on knowledge and skill acquisition (mean score 3.56), application of training (3.44), and satisfaction with conflict resolution (3.42). However, 58% of respondents identified limited participation in training sessions as a major challenge. The study recommends the formal adoption and implementation of the proposed Enhanced Training Program for Barangay Lupons. This program should be specifically designed to address identified gaps in communication, mediation techniques, and cultural sensitivity to enhance the effectiveness of dispute resolution.

Keywords

conflict resolution, dispute resolution, communication gaps, enhanced training program, barangay lupons, community justice