Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (File photo)
MANILA – Just like in other parts of the country, the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Region-Central Luzon (RTF-ELCAC 3) assured the continuity of sustainable livelihood opportunities, lectures on terrorism awareness, and skills training program for former rebels in Central Luzon.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in his update Monday that interventions will continue under the second phase of the RTF-ELCAC 3’s localized peace engagement (LPE).
Galvez, also the RTF Central Luzon’s Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security, reiterated that the government’s decisiveness and whole-of-nation approach to implement peace initiatives "have gained significant results" for the peace process.
The major milestone of the first phase of the LPE program includes the dismantling of guerrilla fronts; surrender of mass organizations; protection of the youth and poor sector; socio-economic gains achieved due to improved security conditions in communities; and the active leadership role of local government units in advancing ELCAC works.
“I would like to emphasize that it was through the decisive and coordinated action of the RTF-3 in the implementation of the programs and projects of local government units, member agencies, and the private sectors that we were able to achieve these significant results,” Galvez said in a statement.
The LPE is one of the 12 lines of effort of the National Task Force (NTF)-ELCAC, which was created through Executive Order No. 70 in 2018.
It mandates a whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approaches to address the root causes of the communist insurgency and provide developments in conflict-affected areas
Other programs to be implemented under the LPE second phase are livelihood support and long-term intervention for former rebels and their families; provision of financial assistance for eligible former rebels; community consultations; and continuous dismantling of communist terrorist group front organizations.
Galvez urged anew the implementing agencies to be “more purposive and determined in carrying out efforts” to put an end to the decades-long insurgency in the country.
“With the expanded mandate of the OPAPRU through EO 158, we shall consolidate, integrate and harmonize all local efforts on peace, reconciliation, and unity so that we can put end to the cycle of armed conflict, promote community resilience, bring about good governance, and transform former rebels and their families into peaceful and productive citizens,” he said. (PNA)
