Thursday, November 28, 2019

RTF–ELCAC launches peace, dev't program in Zamboanga

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 28): RTF–ELCAC launches peace, dev't program in Zamboanga


PEACE, DEV’T. Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Rene Glen Paje (left) and Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu (right) unveil the seal of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC). This was held during the launch of its flagship program, the Zamboanga Peninsula Area for Peace and Development (ZAPD) in Barangay San Jose, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday (Nov. 26, 2019). (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) has launched its flagship program to synergize efforts to bring about development and security to vulnerable communities in the region.

The flagship program, dubbed as the Zamboanga Peninsula Area for Peace and Development (ZAPD), was launched in Barangay San Jose, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday.

The ZAPD aims to synergize the efforts of all government agencies in the region and other partner non-government organizations (NGOs) for the clearing of areas influenced by the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), and making cleared communities resilient from the resurgence of CPP-NPA influence.

Capt. Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said Thursday that the concept of ZAPD is to bring development and security to vulnerable communities “so that social issues, which are encouraging our citizens to support and join the local insurgency, will be addressed for good.”


It complies with President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70, known as the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist insurgency.

DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive and Sustainable Peace Rene Glen Paje has enjoined all concerned stakeholders to support the RTF-ELCAC, local government agencies and units “in order to attain a just and lasting peace and sustainable development for our communities and for our future generations.”

“The Task Force will deliver basic services and encourage good governance. This will also answer the problem of peace and security in our communities,” said Paje, who represented DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista during the activity.

Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu has assured the residents of Lapuyan that his administration is seriously implementing programs to bring about progress in conflict-affected communities, which includes Lapuyan.

Yu also pledged to pave the road in the area to give the people of Barangay San Jose, Lapuyan and its adjacent barangays better opportunities to prosper.

“I am happy to announce that with the RTF-ELCAC 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), more NPA (rebels) surrendered to our government forces. We also urged the local officials and leaders to discourage the constituents in supporting or joining the NPA,” he said.

Mayor Joel Sulong of Lapuyan has also expressed his unconditional support for the ZAPD program.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, the Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting commander, said the inter-agency convergence will bring inclusive and sustainable development in the conflict-affected communities in his command’s area of operations.

Gaerlan said that convergence will also speed up the clearing of the conflict-affected areas and its development.

“We encourage the NPA (rebels) to surrender and lay down their firearms and benefit from the programs of the RTF–ELCAC for the benefit of their families and their communities,” he said.

The program ended with the signing of the pledge of commitment to the program by the guests, Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders, and residents of Lapuyan.

Meanwhile, the "Serbisyo Caravan” that followed after the ZAPD launch benefited more than 1,000 residents, who availed of services from various government agencies.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087332

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