The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) expressed on Monday, Nov. 22 , its appreciation to the local officials supportive of the government’s call to have the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) budget restored in its “entirety.’’
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, however, said the department is hopeful that the majority of senators will eventually support the BDP.
“BDP served as a game-changer in our fight against local terrorism and communism. There is a strong momentum on the part of the government in fighting against terrorism and if we slashed that 28.1 billion, it sends a wrong signal to our partner local government units under the National Task Force ELCAC who have now taken a strong stand together with the DILG and the rest of the NTF-ELCAC against Communist Terrorist Groups,’’ Malaya said.
Malaya noted “that this is primarily the first time that we are providing this large amount of funding from the government to disadvantaged and isolated areas across the country.’’
On the issue of slow implementation, Malaya explained “that many simple projects were already completed, such as the distribution of seed capital, rice harvesters and livelihood projects, while those infrastructures such as farm-to-market roads and electrification projects would take more time because of the government’s compliance of Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Procurement Act.’’
“It’s unfair to say na mababa ang accomplishment dahil sa mahaba-habang proseso and timeline in accomplishing these projects. These are big ticket projects. At pangalawa po dumaan tayo sa pandemya. Hindi po nagpabaya ang NTF-ELCAC or ang mga local government units in implementing these projects the soonest possible time,” Malaya added.
At the weekly ‘virtual’ NTF-ELCAC press briefing, three governors and a mayor expressed deep concern over the looming threat of communist group (CTG) attacks if the BDP funds were slashed in 2022.
Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone lashed out at senators who were pushing for the BDP budget cut, saying they are just making political posturing as the next election nears.
He noted that some senator’s claimed that the BDP fund is better transferred to fight against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) response.
However, Evardone rejected the Senate’s call adding that this is being done “while the more than 50-year terrorism of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) continues.’’
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, on the other hand, said they viewed the move to slash the budget of great concern, even if his province has yet to accept and receive the BDP fund next year.
While talking with various local leaders of Bohol, Yap said that “everyone has expressed their frustrations and anger over the situation.’’
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang said “the 81 to 82 percent nearing completion of BDP projects in his province would come to naught if sustainability will be hampered by the budget slash as this unique program was only implemented in this administration.
If the BDP would be stopped, Dayanghirang noted the biggest casualty is the national government itself adding “that the BDP as the best long term solution to the insurgency problem.’’
Abra De Ilog Occidental Mindoro Municipal Mayor Eric Constantino disclosed that his municipality is now facing the threat of CTGs as the NPA headquarters have been transferred in their area that was formerly based in Quezon and Laguna provinces.
He called on the senators “to have a second look” and “consider how effective is the NTF-ELCAC’s BDP in providing far-flung communities of their basic needs. The municipal mayor added that the CTGs are making “recovery efforts” to take back their province, composed mostly of Indigenous People (IP) communities.’’ (Chito A. Chavez)