City officials recently requested the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to work on the updating of rule VI, Section 4 on the amicable settlement of disputes of the Revised Katarungan Pambarangay Law on its provision regarding payment of filing fees.
Under Resolution No. 552, series of 2024, local legislators stated that there is a need to update the allowable amount of filing fees being collected by the barangay to increase its finances in order to appropriately administer and deliver the basic services needed by its constituents.
Rule VI, Section 4 on the amicable settlement of disputes of the Revised Katarungang Pambarangay Law provides that commencement proceedings for settlement shall be commenced by verbal or written complaint to the punong barangay on any matter not exempted under Section 2 of the said rules in accordance with the rules on venue provided in the preceding section and upon payment of the filing fee in the amount of not less than P5 nor more than P20.
Subsequently, the punong barangay shall determine a schedule of fees which shall not be changed during his term, taking into consideration the value of the property or the amount involved in the said dispute, the financial capabilities of the complainant and other relevant considerations.
The council deemed it proper for the DILG to issue the appropriate updating of the rules so that the concerned barangays can appropriately adjust the charging of the filing fees that will be charged on the complaints being filed for possible amicable settlement under the Katarungan Pambarangay Law to help barangays generate funds for the effective and efficient delivery of basic services to their respective constituents.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the DILG for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
