About 600 leaders from national government agencies, local government units and private sector on Thursday attended a virtual levelling meeting organized by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 (RTF-ELCAC 3).
It aims to provide local task forces with knowledge on the strategy, tactics and programs being utilized by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front and create greater synergy in the efforts being carried out by the national, regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay task forces.
“There is still much to be done in order to put an end to the communist armed rebellion in the country. But through a Whole-of-Nation Approach, just and lasting peace is within reach,” Peace Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Region 3 Carlito G. Galvez Jr. said in his message that was read by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process consultant Abraham Claro Casis.
“The remaining 18 months of the Duterte administration will be dedicated to implementing inclusive, integrated and multi-sectoral interventions that will enable us to sustain the gains of peace and move forward as one people and one nation,” Galvez furthered.
The cabinet official recognized the hard work and dedication of RTF-ELCAC 3, as evidenced by the collaborative efforts of its different clusters to promote good governance in the area.
“I am confident that we will be able to finally put an end to the decades-long communist rebellion, and bring sustainable development and long-lasting peace to our people,” he said.
Executive Order No. 70 of President Rodrigo Duterte created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and subsequently, the RTF ELCACs.
Since its establishment, RTF-ELCAC 3 has helped capacitate various sectors such as the youth, labor, agriculture, and the Indigenous Peoples through the delivery of basic services, provision of livelihood programs, grants of amnesty, and other socio-economic interventions.
“Peace is on the horizon, but it will not come on a silver platter. We must work for it, sustain it, and protect it at all costs. Let us do this for our children and the future generations,” Galvez said.