Task force kicks in P16.4B for barangay dev’t program
Much of the funds intended to boost the livelihood in barangays where the communists once held sway have been delivered, according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
At least 822 barangays have benefitted from 98.9 percent of the P16.44 billion funding for the barangay development program, the flagship program of the NTF-ELCAC, which cited a report from the Department of Budget and Management.
According to National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC Vice-Chairman Hermogenes Esperon Jr. during the weekly press conference of the task force held last Monday, this important achievement fully realizes the government’s commitment to free our kababayans in conflict zones from the atrocities and clutches of the Communist Party of the Philippines—New People’s Army—National Democratic Front and enable them to become productive members of society.
“If communities are empowered by means of security, necessary infrastructure, education, economic development and livelihood, the CPP-NPA-NDF will become powerless and can no longer exploit their vulnerabilities. This will finally put an end to the 52-year insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to war-torn and victimized communities,” Esperon explained.
The 822 barangays were former rebel communities that government security forces have cleared from 2016-2019 by dismantling the CTGs that previously exercised control over them.
He pointed out that the BDP is one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s projects to provide for the “physical needs of the Barangays”.
Esperon said that livelihood, water works and sanitation programs are also being prioritized aside from the construction of farm to market roads and school.
In a report on the status of the Local Government Support Fund to BDP, the tsk force revealed that P16.24 billion was allotted to 812 barangays. “Out of 822 barangays, 80% are IP communities, 75% of which are mostly situated in Mindanao, which received both infrastructure and non-infra projects from BDP,” Esperon explained.
The P16.44 billion budget for the 822 beneficiary