Peace offices to expand gov’t services in insurgency-hit areas

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 18, 2023): Peace offices to expand gov’t services in insurgency-hit areas (By Priam Nepomuceno)

National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año (File photo)

MANILA – The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) can now implement its projects nationwide, especially social services and other government programs for underprivileged communities battered by armed conflicts.

National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año on Tuesday said this is made possible after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. greenlighted the activation of Project Management Office (PMO), also called Peace and Development Office, in all government offices and instrumentalities.

“The activation of PMOs bolsters the determination of the task force to ensure that social services and other government programs and projects reach these communities and bring about positive development and provide solutions to the problems of Filipinos across the country,” Año, also NTF-ELCAC vice chair, said in a statement.

In support of the implementation of Executive Order (EO) No. 70 that created the NTF-ELCAC, the President’s approval of PMOs will bolster the whole-of-nation approach to peace and development to ensure that government projects are immediately implemented in barangays cleared of New People's Army (NPA) influence, he added.

Año has directed Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., NTF ELCAC Executive Director, to coordinate with all line agencies for the implementation of the President’s directive.

The directive was dated June 19 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

Año explained that as part of National Government Agency interventions related to the implementation of EO 70, the PMOs will ensure that the government will bring development in geographically isolated and underdeveloped areas long exploited by communist terrorist groups.

The PMO shall be activated in all government offices, agencies, bureaus, and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations.

“This approval demonstrates confidence and trust by the President of the integrity, commitment, and dedication of the task force to good governance and public service,” the NSA said.

Since the EO was signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018, some 75 percent of NPA guerrilla fronts have been dismantled.

The still existing groups have been weakened and are the focus of military operations and development efforts by NTF-ELCAC agencies.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1205840