Tungtungan and Lupon: crossing paths to maintain peace Bokod.(peace & culture)

The community of Daklan, Bokod, Benguet has successfully webbed their indigenous conflict-resolution system into the dominant national sociopolitical system.

According to Ben Sinas, a member of the Lupong Barangay, the people of Daklan traditionally resolve conflicts through the "Tungtungan".

"The tungtungan, which is the indigenous way of settling conflicts, means peaceful reconciliation among the people of the community," John Tampoc said.

The tungtungan is composed of elders whose responsibility is to resolve problems in the community. The elders were the natural members of the tungtungan because of their acquired wisdom and numerous experiences which makes it possible for them to decide wisely, Pio Tacio, a former barrio lieutenant of the community, said. Whenever conflicts arose among community members, the elders were counted upon to resolve the disagreements. The people naturally respected and followed whatever decision the elders arrived at. Decisions made by the elders were not in written form. The elders were not given any monetary compensation for their services. The elders also served to maintain the practices, beliefs and values in the community. Any community member who displayed undesirable conduct was reprimanded by the elders.

The tungtungan was thus not only a way to resolve conflicts but also to inculcate values of love, peace, forgiveness, humbleness and honesty--values that the community forefathers prized also.

With the integration of ...