The Cordillera Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) continues to perform its functions to further strengthen the government’s efforts to combat communist insurgency and other armed conflicts in the region.
In his message during the National TF levelling meeting with the Cordillera Regional and Local TFs-ELCAC on Jan. 27, Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Cordillera and Department of Agriculture Sec. William Dar said synchronized efforts at various levels of intervention and project implementation will sustain the gains of government efforts in ending local communist armed conflict.
“The government recognizes the ability of each one of us and our agencies to share our resources, experiences, and perspectives in addressing the concerns and problems affecting local communities in the Cordillera and the nation as a whole, which are interrelated,” he said.
He said this includes communist armed conflict, the Covid-19 pandemic, environmental degradation, climate change, hunger, and poverty.
National TF Vice Chairperson Hermogenes Esperon added the government’s lines of efforts, together with its partners, will continue to move forward.
“We have active TFs from the national down to the barangay level. Today, because of our organization, we are able to deliver what was asked of us,” he said.
Esperon said with the continuing support, solidarity, and teamwork, the government will defeat the communist terrorist groups not just in the Cordillera but in the entire country.
“Let us continue with our teamwork. Knowing the enemy is not enough, we must continue to work hard and join together,” he said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Marlo Iringan, who addressed his last message as head secretariat of the Cordillera RTF-ELCAC, also presented the accomplishments of the 12 clusters of regional task force for 2020, saying a lot have been done but the TFs still have more to accomplish.
Iringan will soon officially report as the DILG OIC undersecretary for local government. – Press release
April 24, 2024
