Negros occidental: The Negros Occidental provincial government has expanded its transformative mediation training program to better equip members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa in resolving conflicts in the barangays.

According to Philippines News Agency, from March to July this year, 187 Lupon members and barangay leaders from six local government units (LGUs) have been trained through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) in cooperation with the province's Liga ng mga Barangay. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II stated that the expanded program aims to strengthen local governance by empowering Lupon members and other barangay leaders through appropriate interventions.

A total of 74 Lupon members from San Carlos City and Pontevedra town attended the training workshop on July 9 to 11 at Negros Residences, with Ed Jalbuena, a member of the Mediators Network of the Philippines, as the main resource person. Previously, 67 participants from Cadiz City and Ilog town completed the training on June 18 to 20, while 46 members from the cities of La Carlota and Escalante trained on March 18 to 20.

PPDO officer-in-charge Anna Marie Lucasan emphasized that the training focused on resolving disputes by clearly identifying issues and treating all parties fairly. 'They are encouraged to continuously practice their communication skills, which is vital in mediation,' she added.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson supports the initiative, recognizing that as the primary and frontline mediation body, the barangays and the lupon have both the responsibility and the opportunity to prevent conflicts from escalating to court proceedings.

Lupon members Neceforo Requieron from Barangay 2, San Carlos City, and Elenita Cabanilla from Barangay Cambarus, Pontevedra, appreciated learning the comprehensive mediation process, which includes the 3Ps - Pamati (listen), Paraphrase, and Pamangkot (ask questions) - to handle and settle conflicts. Requieron stated that the training shifted his focus from merely settling cases to restoring relationships, while Cabanilla expressed her eagerness to share her new knowledge with peers.

The province's transformative mediation training program began in 2008, initially for village chiefs, and has since expanded to include Lupon members and other barangay leaders.