RIZAL, Kalinga – The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-Elcac) held the first groundbreaking ceremony for Support to Barangay Development Projects as part of the Whole-of-Nation approach to End Local Communist Armed Conflict last May 24.
The National Task Force Elcac allotted P20 million to Barangay Babalag East, Rizal Kalinga for three projects: a P15M farm-to-market road, a P2M health center, and P3M for water work system.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. sees the realization of the whole-of-nation approach in a speech delivered by National Security Council Deputy Director-General Vicente Agdamag.
“The country’s goal of finally putting an end to decades of global insurgency is coming true. I eagerly await the presentation of other projects in each city and province of the region. Let us work together to finally put an end to the decades-long communist armed conflict and other terrorist activities,” he said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Usec. for Local Government Marlo Iringan said the whole-of-nation approach requires not just a military solution but a whole of nation approach to completely solve the problem on insurgency.
“We need to have local government units that will create an environment where people can flourish and caring citizens who will fully support their local officials,” he said.
DILG-Cordillera OIC Director Araceli San Jose requested the community to help in monitoring and ensuring proper implementation of the projects.
“We in the regional line agencies and national government will also be closely monitoring these projects as part of ensuring good governance,” she said.
During the ceremony, Gov. Ferdinand Tubban emphasized the importance of welcoming former rebels back into the folds of the law to demonstrate the government’s desire to end insurgency.
Rizal Karl Baac together with Punong Barangay Jose Rey Jambaro II, and Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang enjoined the community to help address insurgency particularly in the upland municipalities of the province, and urged partners to collaborate for the successful implementation of all three projects. – Press release
