He won't let the pandemic get in the way of the government’s campaign to end the communist insurgency.
President Duterte is planning to hold more "barangay-level meetings" across the country as the government stepped up efforts to address the local armed communist conflict in the country.
(KARL NORMAN ALONZO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
Duterte, who earlier ordered the troops to shoot dead armed communist insurgents, intends to oversee the development programs in barangays that are supposedly cleared of rebel presence or influence.
"This gathering, as well as the series of barangay-level meetings I will embark on nationwide, highlights the importance of our people’s participation, especially at the barangay level, in ensuring the success of peace and development," Duterte said during his visit to Tacloban City, Leyte Thursday, March 18.
Duterte said the government would use all resources to provide support to land reform beneficiaries, sustain peace and development in "communist terrorist group-cleared barangays," and prevent any future influence of the "enemies of the state."
At present, the government has implemented the Barangay Development Program (BDP) to address local communist armed conflict as well as improve the welfare of the people.
"We are working hard to ensure the provision of various services and public utilities through BDP such as the creation of farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation," Duterte said.
The President was in Tacloban City Thursday to attend the joint meeting of the National Task Force and the Regional Task Force To End the Local Communist Armed Conflict in Eastern Visayas. The assembly, attended by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and other several Cabinet members as well as local government officials, was held at the Summit Hotel in Tacloban City.
Duterte first attended the government’s anti-insurgency gathering in Cagayan de Oro last March 5. He made a similar trip to Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental last March 11.
In his remarks Thursday, the President said the government was taking "a giant leap" towards ending the threat of communist insurgency "once and for all." He thanked government officials and community members for taking a strong stand against the armed conflict in the region.
"I also commend the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and Regional Task Forces for taking great strides in the government’s fight against communist insurgency through a whole-of-nation approach and the delivery of basic services in the conflict areas and vulnerable communities," he said.