Barangay Development Program
The hallmark program of the NTF-ELCAC, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) was established with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict ridden communities.
The Barangay Development Program, or BDP, is an initiative spearheaded by the local government units in the Philippines to promote development in the grassroots level. With the E.O 70 signed by the former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that marked the establishment of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Barangay Development Program becomes the flagship program of the NTF-ELCAC. It intends to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities. It also focuses on addressing the needs and concerns of barangays, which are the smallest administrative divisions in our country or identified as GIDA areas.
The whole of government’s efforts was crafted that aim to address the challenges faced by people living in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). They are communities in the country with marginalized population physically and socio-economically separated from the mainstream society. People here face several challenges such as limited access to basic services like healthcare, education, and transportation. They also have high poverty incidence and are vulnerable to natural disasters and armed conflicts. These factors contribute to the lack of economic opportunities and social mobility for people living in these areas that make them vulnerable to CPP-NPA recruitment.
One of the main goals of the Barangay Development Program, or BDP is to improve the quality of life for residents in conflict-prone and conflict-affected barangays by implementing various projects and programs. We at the NTF-ELCAC had envisioned that communities will benefit from its five core programs which range from farm to market roads, classrooms, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and livelihood projects. Taken together, these activities bring underserviced communities front and center.
Communities receiving the BDP are classified as those which were formerly strongholds or under the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF fronts and are now ripe for development interventions by the government. For the implementation of the BDP in 2021, the security forces and civilian agencies have identified 822 barangays cleared of the influence of the CPP-NPA-NDF from 2016-2019. For FY 2022, a total of 1,406 barangays cleared of the CPP-NPA-NDF threat and influence in will be included in the BDP. Most of these 1,406 barangays are in the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga Regions.
Farm-to-market roads
School buildings
Water and sanitation systems
Health stations
Livelihood projects
Rural electrification
Reconstruction
Housing
Vaccination and Immunization
Assistance
Significantly, it is important for the Filipino people to actively participate in the whole-of-nation approach to sustain the peace and security in the barangays by preventing the resurgence of CTGs. Also, to continuously promote good governance and inclusive development in the barangays across the country by addressing their needs and aspirations.
List of projects covered by the BDP.
To see the official list of targeted barangays, click here.
The official document supporting the BDP from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is
The funding for these projects is coursed directly from the DBM to the Local Government Units, not handled by the NTF-ELCAC.
With over 2,000 projects already approved and ready for deployment, the BDP and its effects are already being felt in communities all over the Philippines formerly subjugated by the CTG.
Stories
The Barangay Development Program plays an immense role in the ending of local communist conflict because of its sole purpose: Good Governance.
Through the promotion of sustainable rehabilitation and development in former conflict-stricken areas, the NTF-ELCAC ensures that formerly neglected rural communities are provided with long-standing quality government services.
To view the effects of the BDP on these communities, visit our BDP stories page.
