Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo (File photo by Judy F. Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The provincial government of Negros Oriental under the leadership of Governor Roel Degamo is gearing up for the official launching of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict or PTF ELCAC.
This is the localized counterpart of the National Task Force ELCAC, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of Executive Order No. 70 to attain inclusive and sustainable peace via a Whole-of-Nation Approach.
Degamo signed last July 25 Executive Order No. 18-2019 for the creation of the PTF ELCAC, which aims to ensure the sustainability of peace and order efforts in local communities affected by the insurgency through the delivery of government services and socio-economic programs that will benefit these communities.
Last week, the governor met for the first time with the heads of the different government line agencies that are involved in the PTF ELCAC to discuss their different roles as well as to prepare for the drafting of their respective implementing action plans.
The ELCAC has been divided into 12 different clusters with more than 50 government agencies and other partners involved.
It aims to eliminate armed conflict, harmonize the plans, programs and actions of national government agencies, and foster community participation.
During the recent regular monthly Provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) presented a briefer on EO NO. 70 and the ELCAC and its different functions and memberships.
Under this program, the PPOC and the Provincial Development Council will now be merged into one, Degamo said.
He emphasized that the PTF ELCAC is very timely because of the volatile situation in Negros Oriental following the spate of killings last month in the aftermath of the July 18 brutal murders of four police intelligence officers allegedly by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Sitio Yamot, Barangay Mabato in Ayungon town.
At least 21 people were killed in separate shooting incidents in the second half of July in Canlaon City, Guihulngan City, Ayungon, Siaton, Zamboanguita, and Sta. Catalina.
Not all of these cases, however, were allegedly perpetrated by the CPP-NPA as police investigators are still digging deeper to bring to court those responsible for the crimes amid widespread talks of Martial Law being imposed in the province.
President Duterte announced last week the possibility of a Martial Law declaration in the province based on a recommendation from military and police commanders.
The PTF ELCAC launching is scheduled next week at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in this capital city, Capitol Information Officer Bimbo Miraflor said.
A People’s Dialogue with the Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is set on August 14 while the launching of the PTF ELCAC is on Aug. 15.
Miraflor said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon have been invited to attend the event. (PNA)
