Gov't approves programs’ fund for insurgency-affected villages

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 27, 2020): Gov't approves programs’ fund for insurgency-affected villages (By Caren Grace Cabanayan)

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) - - The national government has approved development programs’ funds for the identified insurgency-affected villages all over the country, according to Undersecretary Vicente Agdamag.

Usec. Agdamag, the deputy director-general of the NSC, said during the recent press briefing in La Union that the national government has approved the proposed P20 million fund for each identified insurgency-influenced barangay and P1.5 million for each insurgency-threatened barangay.

“The package for the barangay development program was already approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and to be included to the General Appropriation Act (GAA) for Calendar Year 2021,” Agdamag said.

“Providing medical assistance, health facilities, farm to market roads, school buildings, potable water system, small water impounding system, and livelihood training and assistance are just some of the package of development programs and services the government wants to extend to the far-flung communities identified as influenced-barangay of the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels,” he said.

He emphasized that the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Programs (RCSP), as part of the whole of nation approach, is one way of the National Task Force to end the local communist and conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in the country.

“We are going around the different regions of the country. And we are continuously doing the needs’ assessment of each priority barangay, full implementation of the RCSP, harmonization of the programs from the national down to the local levels,” he said.

In Region 1, 11 barangays in Ilocos Sur were identified as communist terrorist-influenced barangays, and at least 13 barangays were identified as insurgency-threatened villages. These barangays are currently on the process of clearing through the RCSP. (JCR/FGL/CGC/PIA La Union)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1035118