Written By: Ronie Jade C. Biosada

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay — The Provincial Atrium at the Capitol Complex in Ipil became a venue for both learning and recognition on June 3, 2026, as barangay justice practitioners from across Zamboanga Sibugay gathered for the Lupon Talks and Awards. 

The gathering served both as a learning forum and a tribute to the men and women who stand at the frontline of conflict resolution in their communities. During the talks, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on common pitfalls in case identification, emerging legal developments, and recent jurisprudence affecting barangay justice administration. Attorney IV Atty. Angelika U. Vega guided the discussions, providing practical insights and clarifications on frequently raised concerns among Lupong Tagapamayapa members.

Beyond the learning sessions, the event highlighted the outstanding performance of barangays that excelled in the 2025 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA). Among the awardees was Barangay Sta. Barbara, Imelda, which received an additional ₱90,000 as the 1st Runner-Up in the 4th Class Municipalities Category, on top of the ₱30,000 incentive previously awarded. Barangay Minsulao, Siay was likewise honored as the Regional Winner in the 2nd Class Municipalities Category, receiving an additional ₱100,000 in development grants. Representatives of both barangays, together with their Lupon members and DILG field officers, proudly accepted the awards before fellow local officials and stakeholders.

The spotlight, however, shone brightest on Barangay Tinongtongan, Diplahan, which not only emerged as the Regional Winner in the 3rd Class Municipalities Category but also earned distinction as the National 2nd Runner-Up. The barangay received an additional ₱250,000 in incentives, reflecting its exemplary implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay program. The recognition served as a testament to the dedication of Zamboanga Sibugay’s Lupons in advancing accessible, community-based justice and strengthening public trust in local governance.

In a time when public trust remains one of governance’s greatest challenges, the province’s award-winning Lupons stand as proof that justice delivered with integrity, compassion, and accessibility remains one of the strongest foundations of peaceful and resilient communities.