The Department of Justice’s Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR) is ramping up efforts to strengthen local dispute resolution capabilities, particularly at the barangay (village) level.

This initiative underscores the OADR’s commitment to enhancing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms within local governance.

From 15 to 17 July 2025, the “Course on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms under the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) Law” will be held at Batanes State College in Basco, Batanes.

The program, organized in partnership with the OADR, the Provincial Government of Batanes, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), aims to equip barangay officials and local stakeholders with essential knowledge and tools for effective dispute resolution within their communities.

It will feature lectures from key figures in the field, including OADR Deputy Executive Director Krista Gem M. Santos and Jullianne Blair L. Coco, Chief of OADR’s Accreditation and Certification Division.

Atty. Eva Marie Gutierrez, Provincial Legal Officer of Batanes, and Atty. Rodolfo Ferdinand N. Quicho, Jr., an accredited practitioner from the Mediators Network for Sustainable Peace, Inc., will also join the lectures.

The combined expertise of these legal professionals is expected to provide comprehensive insights into the practical application of ADR.

The DOJ said the training reflects the OADR’s mandate under Republic Act No. 9285, or the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004, to promote and develop ADR across both private and public sectors.

By empowering local communities to foster dialogue and cooperation, the OADR seeks to facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes at the grassroots level, in alignment with international standards for ADR practices.