BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) continues to undertake initiatives to maintain lasting peace and an insurgency-free region.
Member agencies of the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) cluster of the RTF-ELCAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on handling foreign non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) entering indigenous cultural communities in the Cordillera region.
Member agencies of the Situational Awareness and Knowledge Management (SAKM) cluster of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) sign a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a network for the exchange of data reports and information that would promote and protect the interest of the Indigenous People and IP Communities. (Photo courtesy: Carlito Dar, PIA-CAR)
This is to enhance the capabilities of not only the local government units, but also the conflict-prone communities, particularly the indigenous peoples, in addressing the activities and influence of left-leaning organizations.
It aims to establish a network for the exchange of data reports and information that would promote and protect the interests of the indigenous people and IP communities by ensuring the observance of NGOs, and CSOs of government standards, policies, and protocols.
Held at the DILG-CAR Regional Office on December 6, signatories to the MOU were National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Camilo Balutan, Department of the Interior and Local Government Asst. Regional Director Ruperto Maribbay Jr., National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Regional Director Atanacio Addog, Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, Philippine National Police Regional Director PBGen David Peredo Jr., Office of Civil Defense Director Albert Mogol, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Assistant Regional Director Jimmicio Daoaten, Colonel Virgilio Noora of the Philippine Army 5th ID, and Johnny Bumakil of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Balutan, the SAKM Cluster chairperson, said that the signing of the MOU signifies the commitment to establish a system of monitoring NGOs and CSOs in the Cordillera that generally aims to create an environment that shuns deception and exploitation and fosters collaboration, transparency, and accountability.
The undertaking supports RTF-ELCAC’s initiatives to maintain a lasting peace towards safer and progressive communities. (CCD, PIA-CAR)
