ILOILO City – From 2022 to 2024, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has allocated P1.073 billion for various projects in Western Visayas under the Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (LGSF-SBDP NTF-ELCAC).
The DILG earmarked P364 million for 98 projects in 2022; P654 million for 118 projects in 2023; and P55 million for 22 projects slated for 2024.
These initiatives focus on poverty alleviation and development in geographically isolated and former communist conflict-afflicted areas, including the construction of farm-to-market roads, installation of rural electrification, and development of sanitary and water systems, health stations, and school buildings.
DILG-6 director Juan Jovian Ingeniero emphasized the significant impact of these barangay development projects, noting that they address not only the insurgency issue but also enhance the presence and effectiveness of government services in remote areas.
This strategy has led to a decrease in the number of barangays with insurgency problems, validating the effectiveness of implementing projects at the barangay level, he said.
Ingeniero said the placement of projects in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) is part of a broader effort in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to eliminate insurgency sightings by 2028.
He expressed optimism, noting the visible benefits these development projects bring to residents, particularly in terms of completed infrastructure like farm-to-market roads now being utilized by the communities.
“These developments are bringing businesses closer to the barangays, fostering livelihood opportunities and enhancing local economies,” Ingeniero added.
The initiative is in line with Executive Order No. 70 issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte on December 4, 2018, which established the NTF-ELCAC to address and increase awareness of the ongoing communist rebellion in the country./PN
