CONTINUED FINANCING. The Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in the Cordillera has expressed support for the continued financing for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to help pursue the programs, projects and activities that directly benefit the indigenous peoples in the Cordillera. RPOC has mapped out a resolution, now awaiting the signature of all council members, supporting the creation of NTF-ELCAC and its continued financing to sustain efforts to weaken the operation of communist rebels and sustain its earlier gains. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY – An executive of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in the Cordillera supports the continued financing of the program aimed to end communist armed conflict, citing its benefits to the region’s indigenous peoples (IPs).
“The ELCAC (End Local Communist Armed Conflict) program impact(s) the delivery of basic services and socio-economic development projects in conflict-affected communities,” NCIP-Cordillera Administrative Region director lawyer Atanacio Addog told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday.
Addog said several anti-insurgency programs have been brought to far-flung communities and these include the Support to the Barangay Development Program (SBDP) that is being implemented by the Regional Task Force ELCAC through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
SBDP programs and projects are implemented in areas previously considered as conflict-affected but have been cleared.
Among the projects included in this program are roads, water impounding facilities, health facilities, multi-purpose facilities, as well as livelihood aid and activities to improve the condition of the people in the community.
Addog said these programs are beneficial because people directly feel the impact on their lives, aside from the fact that such programs are being requested by members of the community.
His statement came as a support to the call of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) to continue and sustain the implementation of the programs, projects and activities of the National Task Force-ELCAC.
The RPOC, in a resolution approved during its last quarter meeting on Dec. 12, said the creation of the task force has resulted in the convergence of several programs, projects and activities geared towards peace and development of New People’s Army-cleared villages.
It said the task force’s efforts to weaken the operation of the communist rebels in conflict-affected communities has resulted in the voluntary surrender of former rebels, which when not sustained, will interrupt the progress made by the government.
The resolution is still being circulated to the RPOC member agencies for signature.
First-hand experience
Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr. earlier told journalists that his province used to be infested by NPAs until the people realized the importance of having a peaceful place to live in.
“We, the people in Apayao, know what it means to have peace and order problems and we do not want the same situation that is why we come up with extra hand and effort to make our place peaceful,” he said.
Recently, Apayao awarded the biggest “change of a lifestyle” reward to local rebels who voluntarily surrendered in exchange for a better life.
The surrenderees were given PHP500,000 each by the provincial government as a sign of its commitment to attaining peace and ensuring that the former rebels will have a new life. (PNA)
