CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Presidential Peace Adviser and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security 3 Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. underscored the need to strengthen the information and education (IEC) campaign not only in the sitios and barrios but also in the digital sphere.

In his message during the 8^th leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series which was held in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, Galvez said expect communist terrorist groups (CTGs) to intensify their recruitment online as classes are being held virtually and the youngsters are glued to their mobile phones and computer screens.

“Our IEC campaign must therefore focus on creating a greater sense of awareness among our youth on the threats being posed by CTGs, and what can be done to effectively counter them,” he furthered.

The cabinet official reported during the event significant accomplishments of Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict 3 (RTF-ELCAC 3) which includes the dismantling of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya (KLG) Sierra Madre. 

“To sustain the gains of our military efforts which led to the dismantling of the KLG Sierra Madre, the Peace, Law Enforcement and Development Support Cluster of RTF-ELCAC 3 will now focus on quashing KLG TarZam and South Party Committee which are still operating in the region. The cluster intends to accomplish this before the end of the year,” Galvez shared.

Meanwhile, a total of 60 villages in the region have been proposed to become beneficiaries in 2022 of the Support to Barangay Development Program. It will implement community-based projects that aim to create more economic opportunities for residents and uplift their lives.

Projects under the program include construction of health centers, implementation of sitio electrification and conduct of agricultural, livelihood, and technical-vocational trainings.

“We also need to build more infrastructures such as farm-to-market roads and bridges in order to ease the burden among our farmers by enabling them to efficiently transport their produce and sell them at higher prices,” Galvez emphasized.

About 200 officials of regional line agencies, local chief executives, punong barangays, academe, private sector and the media attended the 8th leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series which was held at the Kingsborough International Convention Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

It showcased the major accomplishments of the Duterte administration and plans for the remainder of his term. There were also updates on development and security in Central Luzon as well as a report on the ongoing COVID-19 response and vaccination in the region.

The activity was co-organized by Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine Information Agency and Office of the Cabinet Secretariat in partnership with Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, provincial government of Pampanga and city government of San Fernando. (CLJD-PIA 3)