SAN JOSE, Antique – The government campaign to end local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) will be intensified this year with the organization of task forces in the 590 villages of the province, according to Cherryl Tacda, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Antique.
“Task force ELCAC will be organized in the barangays of the province,” Tacda said on Friday.
She added the move was provided in Executive Order (EO) 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Dec. 4, 2018, which aimed to attain inclusive and sustainable peace in the country by institutionalizing the “whole of nation” approach.
Tacda said the mayors of the 18 towns in the province should also ensure the organization of the barangay task force.
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao issued the Provincial Task Force (PTF)-ELCAC here on Sept. 26, 2019.
Several activities have been conducted by the provincial government with the creation of PTF-ELCAC – such as the medical-surgical-dental mission and information caravan in San Remigio and Valderrama towns, which are considered conflict areas with the continuing presence of alleged members of the New People’s Army.
Around 1,500 individuals in the two municipalities have availed of the services through the efforts of the different national government agencies and local government units.
Meanwhile, a Provincial Youth Leadership Summit was held at the Saint Anthony’s College in San Jose town while a Campus Peace and Development Forum was held at the University of Antique in Sibalom town to help hinder the alleged recruitment of rebels in schools.
Meanwhile, Tacda said local officials, police, school principals, and other stakeholders in this town held a covenant signing last Nov. 11 to support EO 70, declaring the communist rebels as “persona non grata.”(With a report from PNA/PN)
