Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the 1991 Local Government Code, gives barangays the mandate to enforce peace and order and provide support for the effective enforcement of human rights and justice. Decentralization has facilitated the recognition of the Katarungang Pambarangay or Barangay Justice System as an alternative venue for the resolution of disputes. The challenge facing local governments now is to maximize and harness the katarungang pambarangay as one of the most valuable mechanisms available in administering justice, advancing human rights protection and resolving and/or mediating conflict at the barangay level through non-adversarial means.