Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday said the agency will be pushing for the regularization of key barangay employees such as the barangay health workers, members of Lupon Tagapamayapa and barangay tanods to ensure the continuity of service in the communities.

Speaking at the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards 2023, Abalos said the DILG fully supports the proposal in Congress to institutionalize providing economic benefits and other incentives to barangay workers under the proposed "Magna Carta for Barangay."

"Kayo ang pinakamagagaling sa buong bansa. And what if bukas palitan kayo bigla? This is very possible under the current system. Kaya ang aming proposal ay magkaroon ng regular employees sa mga barangay para may continuity of service," he said.

Under the proposed law, barangay workers can receive an honorarium compatible with the economy of the country and other benefits, Abalos explained.

In the same speech, Abalos said he intends to seek the help of different universities to help train Lupon Tagapamayapa members in settling community disputes.

"Let's set up a meeting with all of the universities all over the country. Let's tap on the law schools to help us here, hindi lang ang LGA (Local Government Academy), to make sure na talagang lumawak ang capacity-building natin," he stressed.

"Maraming volunteer programs ang mga law schools, ang Ateneo School of Law, ang alma mater ko. Mayroon diyang mga estudyante. I'm sure they are very much willing to help," Abalos added.

The DILG Secretary recognized the Lupons' significant efforts in amicably settling neighborhood disputes, noting that they have helped unclog the court dockets and save "more or less P4-billion costs of litigation."

The LTIA 2023 winners are: Brgy. Budla-an (Cebu City) for highly urbanized cities; Brgy. Upper Katungal (Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat) for independent component cities (ICC); Brgy. Poblacion (Tupi, South Cotabato) for 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities; Brgy. Ibabang Atingay (Magdalena, Laguna) for 4th to 6th Class Municipalities.

The first and second runners-up are: Brgy. Doongan (Butuan City) and Brgy. Balibago (Angeles City) for HUCs; Brgy. San Vicente (Binan City, Laguna) and Brgy. Lawa-an (Roxas City, Capiz) for ICC and CC; Brgy. Rizal (Bansalan, Davao Del Sur) and Brgy. Cavite (Alangalang, Leyte) for 1st to 3rd class municipalities; and Brgy. Naburos (Baliangao, Misamis Occidental) and Brgy. Otod (San Fernando, Romblon) for 4th to 6th class towns.

The LTIA, which started in 1982, was elevated to a Presidential Award by Executive Order 394, entitled "Establishing the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards" in 1997.