The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will hold a summit in Pampanga where 600 local government units (LGUs) will be recognized for their exploits in pushing the Communist Party of Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) out of their territories.
In a statement on Friday, Nov. 4, DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. stated that the 600 LGUs will be gathered to share their best practices in the implementation of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) during the SBDP Summit 2022 slated on Nov. 7 to 8 in Clark, Pampanga.
He explained that the SBDP Summit aims to provide an avenue for the local chief executives (LCEs) to narrate their success stories and experiences on the implementation of SBDP and Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) as well as to apprise them on the short to medium term direction of the peace programs.
“Ang SBDP Summit 2022 na ito ay napakagandang paraan para magkita-kita, magusap-usap, at magbahagi ng karanasan ang mga insurgency-cleared LGUs sa iba’t bang panig ng bansa sa kani-kanilang SBDP at RCSP projects para mas mapabuti pa ang mga susunod na hakbang tungo sa mas payapa at progresibong bansa (This SBDP Summit 2022 is a great avenue for insurgency-cleared LGUs in different parts of the country to meet, discuss and share experiences in their respective SBDP and RCSP projects to further enhance the next steps towards a more peaceful and progressive nation),” said Abalos.
Among the expected participants at the SBDP Summit 2022 are the provincial governors and city/municipal mayors of the implementing LGUs of the fiscal year (FY) 2021-2023 Local Government Support Fund (LGSF)-SBDP; DILG Central, Regional, and Field Officers; NTF-ELCAC officials; and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Aside from Abalos, National Security Adviser and NTF-ELCAC vice-chairman, Secretary Clarita R. Carlos and Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge (OIC) Jose C. Faustino Jr. will grace the event.
Among the speakers during the event include Punong Barangay Marlon E. Limboc of Barangay Papaya, Nasugbu, Batangas who will talk about the experiences of the community as the beneficiary barangay of the RCSP and SBDP implementation; Municipal Mayor Rachel A. Ubana of Lopez, Quezon; and Vice-Governor Joseph W. Ascutia of Camarines Norte who will both discuss their strategies and best practices in the RCSP implementation; Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano of Occidental Mindoro who will discuss the RCSP and SBDP Impact on Peace and Development; and representatives of Synergeia Foundation, Inc. which will share their experiences and learnings as a third-party monitor of SBDP projects.
In the said event, the participating LGUs will also get to experience a gallery walk (photo exhibit) of featured SBDP projects across the country that was created to inspire and encourage them on how to go about with their peace projects as peace advocates and champions in their respective localities.
Organized by the DILG Localization of EO70 Program Management Office (PMO), Support to the Local Government Program (SLGP) PMO and DILG Region III, the SBDP Summit 2022 serves as an avenue for the DILG, NTF-ELCAC, and LGUs to ensure vertical linkage of the LGUs’ Local Development Plans (LDPs) to the National Peace Framework.