Central Luzon has demonstrated that the whole-of-government approach in addressing decades-long communist insurgency works.
“Through our various programs and projects, we are bringing the government closer to the people, and as a result, are winning their hearts and minds as well as members of the Communist Terrorist Group who have returned to the folds of the law,” Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security 3 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said during the National Task Force (NTF) – Regional Task Force (RTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Summing Up FY 2018-2021 and Ways Forward for 2022 and beyond session.
“With this, we have made our humble contribution towards ELCAC and promoting community resiliency. This, I believe, is the true measure of our success,” he emphasized.
Galvez furthered that work in RTF ELCAC 3 has not been a walk in the park. Since the health crisis struck in 2020, the task force has been facing various challenges both at the peace and security and health front.
“But time and again, RTF ELCAC 3 has shown that it is made of sterner stuff. You have not only faced these difficulties head on; you have managed to carry out our crucial mandate as the task force continues to strengthen as an organization,” he told members.
Starting January this year, NTF ELCAC has spearheaded the conduct of assessment sessions for each of the 17 Joint RTFs.
“These engagements are very crucial, as they will enable all RTFs to apprise the national leadership on what we have accomplished so far in our areas of responsibility since the implementation of Executive Order No. 70.,” Galvez explained.
Moreover, these assessment sessions give the opportunity to harmonize and re-align all the initiatives of the 12 clusters both at the national and regional level, and at the same time identify gaps in their implementation. (CLJD-PIA 3)