BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA)--Local officials of the newly identified barangays under the     End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)   in the province were oriented about Executive Order 70 by President Rodrigo Duterte or the whole-of-nation approach to end local communism.

The recently identified ELCAC barangays are Can-eo and Tocucan in Bontoc municipality, Betwagan in Sadanga, and Balugan in Sagada.

During the third round of Peace and Development Forum on April 19 at the Municipal Capitol of Bontoc, provincial officials and implementing agencies discussed the ELCAC program relative to the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).

 Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., in his message also shared his discernment of the program.

“We have worked together as a united front, communities local government units and national line agencies united for single purpose that is to end the more than 50 years conflict between and among our brothers and sisters in the communist group. Since the inception of the EO 70 in 2018, we have seen the positive effects of our coming together through the many projects both infrastructure and livelihood programs that are implemented and are being implemented as of today,“ he said.

Samson B. Appoy of the Department of the  Interior and Local Government  representing Provincial Director Anthony Manolo I. Ballug Jr. and Mountain Province Police Provincial Office Provincial Director PCOL. Ruben B. Andiso focused  on the Duterte Legacy mentioning activities and programs under the current administration.

The forum integrated the Duterte Legacy Caravan, a convergence activity that aims to bring government services closer to the Filipino people by   delivering basic services and informing the public about the government’s programs, policies and efforts to bring about real change.

Participating agencies in the caravan were members of the Provincial Task Force-ELCAC that include the Department of Trade and Industry, Dept. of Labor and Employment, Dept.  of Public Works and Highways, PNP, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Dept. of Science and Technology, Philippine Statistics Authority, National Commission on Indigenous People, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and Bureau of Fire Protection. The heads or representatives   shared their respective agency’s accomplishments, programs and policies.

The forum was also attended by students of the  Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, and other members of the community. (JDP/SCA-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)