CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- The joint Regional Task Force 8 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF8 ELCAC), Northern Samar PTF ELCAC, and four Municipal Task Forces signed a resolution expressing full and unequivocal support to the NTF ELCAC and strongly appealing against the decision of the Senate Finance Committee to reduce the Local Government Support Fund to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDF).

These are the towns of Catubig, Catarman, Las Navas, and Bobon, all in Northern Samar.

During a dialogue on Thursday, November 18, with Support to Barangay Development Program (SDBP) Action Officer Monico Balte and other officials, Catubig Mayor Galahad Vicencio moved to approve the resolution which Gov. Edwin Ongchuan readily approved.

The TF ELCACs learned that the Senate Finance Committee decided to reduce the budget from P28.1B to P4B.

They claimed that the reduction will negatively impact the momentum achieved in the implementation of EO 70 in Northern Samar and Eastern Visayas.

The move, the resolution read, will reduce the people's confidence in the government’s will to improve their living condition and continue the burden of insurgency.

Balte assured the barangay and municipal officials that they will work hard to sustain the program and the budget.

“Hindi tayo papayag na bawasan yan,” (referring to the P28.1B budget).

For his part, Gov. Edwin Ongchuan said the budget cut is so unfortunate.

“But, I together with other local chief executives, hope that our lawmakers will give us better compromise especially that we are only going to be better in the implementation of SBDP projects and the fund liquidation in the coming years,” said Ongchuan.

The different task forces are still hopeful that the senate will reconsider. (NBQ/PIA 8)