Two Catanduanes barangays – Pandan del Sur of Virac and Bagatabao of Bagamanoc – made the province proud last week by securing regional honors in the 2025 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)..
Palnab del Sur was named 1st runner-up in the First Class Municipality Category, earning a ₱30,000 cash award, while Bagatabao garnered the same ranking in the Fifth Class Municipality Category, bringing home a ₱25,000 cash prize.
The ceremonial awarding of checks last Aug, 22, 2025 was led by Cluster Head William T. Aldea, who represented DILG Catanduanes Provincial Director Uldarico S. Razal Jr., CESO V, together with LGOO II Kyla Santos, representing the DILG Regional Office. Also present to witness the recognition were OIC Program Manager Jessa T. Encarnacion and LGOO II Gizelle A. Tabilin.
These awards highlight the dedication and effectiveness of the two Lupons in upholding the Katarungang Pambarangay system through fair mediation, timely dispute resolution, and innovative approaches to peacebuilding.
“Their consistent performance underscores how strong grassroots justice contributes to community harmony and order,” DILG Catanduanes said in a statement.
The Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) is a flagship initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that recognizes exemplary Lupons across the country.
It aims to inspire barangays to strengthen their Katarungang Pambarangay system by promoting fair mediation, efficient case settlement, and innovative practices in resolving disputes. Evaluation is based on the quality and timeliness of case disposition, effectiveness of procedures, and the overall contribution of the Lupon to sustaining peace and order in the community.
With this recognition, barangays Palnab Del Sur and Bagatabao have once proved that committed and well-functioning Lupons can make a real difference in the lives of their constituents, the DILG stated.
Their achievement at the regional level serves as an inspiration for other barangays to continually strengthen their justice systems and sustain peace at the grassroots, it stressed.