CEBU CITY, Cebu, April 1 (PIA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte on March 31 hailed the National Task Force-Regional Task Force 7 to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-RTF 7 ELCAC) for their continued commitment in bringing development to insurgency-affected areas in Central Visayas.

This after hearing the accomplishment report presented by the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region 7 Sec. Michael Lloyd Dino.

"Let me first commend the NTF and RTF ELCAC for collectively realizing the commitment of government's holistic and Whole-of-the-Nation Approach to resolving the communist insurgency. Your serious efforts to deliver basic services in conflict-affected areas truly helped in bringing the government closer to the Filipino people," said Duterte. 

"However, this initiative does not stop here. Still, the completion of our commitments to achieving peace for the country remains critical in the remaining three months of this administration," he added. 

Duterte, during the meeting, took the opportunity to ask the local chief executives in Central Visayas to synergize their local efforts with the NTF-RTF ELCAC in the fight against lawlessness and insurgency and to support the nation's key programs in achieving sustainable security.

One of the NTF's flagship programs is the Barangay Development Program (BDP) which seeks to bring development to former conflict-prone communities.

The BDP is a package of socio-economic development programs that include farm-to-market roads, livelihood, irrigation, and health stations.

The President attended the NTF ELCAC's joint meeting with its RTF in Central Visayas and met with over 200 representatives from the national and regional government offices, local chief executives of LGUs, punong barangays, and beneficiaries. 

He led the ceremonial distribution of cash grants under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) and the awarding of BDP scholarships to various beneficiaries from Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Bohol.

Anchored on good governance, patriotism and values enhancement, the joint meeting served as an opportunity for the Central Visayas members to talk about ways to further enhance the government’s collective efforts in addressing current challenges regarding local insurgency and terrorism, as well as illegal drugs, criminality and corruption that continue to affect peace and security, not just in the region, but in the whole country.

"I hope that even beyond my term as President, our efforts to end local government armed conflict in our regions will still proceed since the Filipino people deserve a peaceful and prosperous nation, which the government should provide,” the President said. (IDC/PIA7)