Barangay justice system in selected parts of the Laguna province will experience a boost with the implementation of an innovative electronic system. 

The College of Computer Studies (CCS) of the Laguna State Polytechnic University-Los Baños Campus (LSPU-LBC) partnered with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cluster A for the project entitled “Online Katarungang Pambarangay (e-KP) System.

Integrating technology in the implementation of the Barangay Justice System, the e-KP system will assist barangay officials in processing the necessary paperwork in a timely and sufficient manner to facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes through mediation, conciliation, or arbitration.

The technology was formally introduced during the regular cluster meeting cum cascading of e-KP System at the Sta. Rosa City Auditorium, Laguna, Feb. 22.

The meeting was attended by the representatives from DILG-Laguna Cluster A; Presidents of Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB), Association of Barangay Secretaries of Laguna (ABSeLag), and Lupon of the six (6) cities and four (4) municipalities under DILG-Laguna Cluster A; and associate dean, faculty members, and students of CCS.

The e-KP System, a developed technology by undergraduate students of the college for their thesis entitled “E-Katarungan: A Web-Based Case Report System,” aims to benefit barangays under the following municipalities and cities of DILG-Laguna Cluster A: Alaminos, Bay, Biñan City, Cabuyao City, Calamba City, Calauan, Los Baños, San Pablo City, San Pedro City, and Sta. Rosa City.

LGOO VII Ma. Lorilyn V. Manrique, Cluster A Head of DILG Laguna Province, specified the number of beneficiaries of the initial and eventual roll out of the project.

“Hindi lamang po ito para sa Cluster A but magagamit po ito ng lahat ng 687 baranggays,” said Cluster Head Manrique during the project cascading. “But for the meantime, the 248 baranggays under Cluster A, districts one, two, and three and the lone districts ang makikinabang po nitong ating sistemang ito.

Meanwhile, LGOO II Jay Beltran, Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD), DILG IV-A, shared the potential of the system for a wider scope.

“I am also looking at, in the future, instead of an initiative lang ng cluster, it might turn into something that can be used province-wide or even region-wide,” he explained. “With the help of LSPU, I am pretty sure na ‘yung mga advancements at technology unti-unti na naming ma-incorporate. At ‘yan po ay napakaganda pong opportunity para sa atin para mapadali po at matulungan din po natin ‘yung mga masisipag nating members ng lupon.”

For this partnership, the LSPU was awarded a certificate of appreciation which was received by CCS representatives, headed by Mr. Loyd Echalar, Associate Dean of CCS LSPU-LB, with the faculty members and students. 

Photo credit: Loyd Echalar