Once barangays formerly under the influence of insurgents have been cleared, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said anti-poverty programs must be immediately cascaded to prevent the communist rebels from returning to the rural communities.
He was referring to the Support to the Barangay Development Fund (SBDF) that has been prioritizing projects aimed at uplifting the lives of people in barangays that have been removed from New People's Army (NPA) control.
"Yes like ng ginagawa namin sa cleared barangays, ang Support the Barangay Development Fund, farm-to-market road, electrification, water, ang basic na kailangan ng tao. Kasi kung ganun lang, baka bumalik eh. So we make sure sa DILG that all these components are there (We have been doing these in all cleared barangays under the SBDF which provides farm-to-market roads, electrification, water, the basic needs of people, if these are not provided, the rebels might come back to the mountains, and we at the DILG are making sure that all of these components are there)," Abalos said.
Abalos made this comment on the sidelines of the National Security Cluster Communications of the "Bagong Pilipinas" Media Engagement and Workshop held at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales province from May 2 to 4.
While the Philippine National Police can take over internal security operations, Abalos believes that military presence in the cleared barangays must remain along with the implementation of anti-poverty programs.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier announced that only 11 weakened guerilla fronts remain nationwide and that they are working overtime to dismantle these NPA units by the end of the year.
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for the allotment of more funds to the SBDP.
The SBDF is a program under the auspices of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Through this call, the Marcos administration reiterated its "unwavering commitment" to building a stronger and united Philippines.
"By significantly increasing financial support for the SBDF, the government is laying the groundwork for a future where every Filipino community is empowered to achieve its full potential," the NTF-ELCAC said.
In addition to this financial boost, Marcos also underscored the importance of a sustained and holistic approach to development and peacebuilding across the nation.
This includes the continuous development and implementation of targeted programs and projects for the 5,430 barangays that have been integral to the BDP since its inception in 2021.
"The administration is also in the process of finalizing a comprehensive 2024-2028 Roadmap, spearheaded by the NTF-ELCAC.
This strategic plan aims to address the root causes of conflict, empower communities, and unite all sectors in the fight against terrorism, in alignment with the President’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2038," the NTF-ELCAC said. PNA
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