The Philippine Army is seeking to include at least five barangays in every municipality and city in Negros Oriental affected by the insurgency in projects under the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC) to prevent the resurgence of communist insurgency.
Lt. Col. Sol Zaulda, during a Kapihan sa PIA forum Oct. 7, said that sustained government interventions could prevent the communist New People’s Army (NPA) from regaining a foothold in communities where its guerrilla fronts have been dismantled.
“While we are experiencing relative peace, we should not let our guard down,” Zaulda said in a Philippine News Agency report, noting that only NPA remnants remain in the province.
He said that government troops continue to monitor possible movements of armed groups, particularly in boundary areas of Bayawan City, Bais City, Mabinay, and Basay.
Zaulda also underscored the role of local governments in addressing the root causes of insurgency through development programs and basic services.
Anson Baroro, cluster head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Negros Oriental, said P10 million has been allocated for ELCAC activities in barangays, and that the Armed Forces of the Philippines identifies areas for coverage.
The National Task Force-ELCAC’s flagship program is the Barangay Development Program, which delivers basic services and infrastructure to conflict-affected and geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas previously influenced by communist groups. ||
