Committed to keep the public abreast with government programs and initiatives and to advocate public participation in mobilizing all sectors of society against the propaganda of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) 2 through the joint efforts of the DILG, NEDA, DOLE, NICA, and NCIP, conducted the Virtual Provincial Leveling Session for all barangays in the region on May 25 to 27.

NEDA presented the details and updates on the Executive Order No. 70 series of 2018 (EO 70) and the RTF-ELCAC 2 and provided secretariat support during the activity.

The activity’s main objective was to cascade to the barangays the fullest understanding of the CTGs Framework, EO 70 development initiatives, Barangay Development Programs, and the Rights of the Indigenous People. It also paved way for pressing issues and concerns of the grassroots level to be addressed and be further referred to concerned agencies for appropriate interventions.

A thousand participants from the barangays across the five provinces of the region actively participated in the event.

In closing, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of Region 2, enjoined the barangay officials to support the government initiatives to achieve our ultimate goal of inclusive and lasting peace.

“With the advancement in digital technology, the revolutionary program has become more accessible to many, we in government must also adapt to the changes and combat the communist agenda in the new arena created by the changing time. We in the barangays, the most basic unit of the government, play a very vital role in the fight to end communist insurgency”, he added.