BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is now preparing a roadmap as it gears towards transitioning into a National Task Force on Unity Peace and Development.
NTF-ELCAC National Secretariat Executive Director USEC Ernesto Torres Jr. shared this during the Cordillera Regional Task Force-ELCAC 3rd Quarter meeting in Baguio City on September 20.
Torres said that the NTF-ELCAC with the different regional task forces have accomplished a lot since 2018 now with only five weakened guerrilla fronts remaining in the armed conflict struggle.
Of the five remaining guerilla fronts, two are operating in the Cordillera (Abra and Kalinga-Apayao area), while the three are in Bicol region, Panay and in the Southern Luzon area.
Torres explained that with the goal of ending the armed conflict with zero or no active guerilla fronts, the NTF – ELCAC will be more focused on unity, lasting peace and development, in which, he called for a whole – of – government approach and whole of nation participation.
He enjoined the Cordillera-RTF to continue working collaboratively in attaining the goal.
“Through the whole-of-government approach and whole of nation participation, it is just a matter of time,” he said.
“Each of us plays a crucial role in this process. Let us raise our strengths and perspectives to overcome challenges and move our initiatives forward, “Torres added.
The 3rd Quarter RTF meeting was presided by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Cabinet Officer for Peace, Development and Security for Cordillera appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Priority in the meeting agenda were the presentation of e accomplishments of each of the 12 clusters of the RTF-ELCAC, updates on the region’s insurgency situation and implementation of the ELCAC programs including the Support to Barangay Development Program, Regional Community Support Program, and the CapacitatingUrban Communities for Peace and Development.
Bautista expressed gratitude to the Cordillera RTF-ELCAC members for their active participation, and congratulated them for their accomplishments that show the impact of collaboration towards a shared goal of ending armed conflict, one step at a time.
He also praised the RTF-ELCAC cluster reports as the data presented serve as a testament of collective hard work as well as the effectiveness of the strategies being implemented. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
