Go supports NTF-ELCAC, reiterates need for a whole-of-government approach to combat insurgency

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go supports efforts to provide a sufficient budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, saying that its role towards long-lasting peace and development must be sustained and pursued further.

A member of the bicameral conference committee for the 2022 General Appropriations bill, Go urged lawmakers to ensure that the Task Force will have the necessary resources to continue its development assistance programs in conflict-affected areas.

“Being one of the members ng bicam ay isinulong ko na maibalik o madagdagan ang pondo ng NTF-ELCAC dahil naging successful naman ito. Not only to fight insurgency but (to bring) development doon mismo sa baba,” Go said in an interview after visiting a fire-hit area in Manila City on Friday, Dec. 10.

The previous month, the Senate moved to reduce the NTF-ELCAC’s budget. As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go stressed the need to enable the body to continue to discharge its mandate and implement its programs and projects effectively.

He defended the need for a whole-of-government approach to ending the insurgency which, Go pointed out, is fueled by decades of government neglect, social injustice, and poverty.

“Iyung mga napapabayaang hindi napapansin na barangay, doon nagkakaroon ng insurgency. Kasi ang pakiramdam ng mga barangay na ‘to, they were neglected, walang pumapansin sa kanila (kaya) napapasok ng Left. So, bigyan natin ng insentibo ang mga ito,” Go explained.

“Aside from incentives (dapat din) ma-develop naman ‘yung barangay. Napakalaking bagay ‘yon. ‘Yun iba walang halos kalye, walang development … para magsumikap sila and, at the same time, mabigyan ng panibagong buhay ‘yung gustong magbagong buhay,” he added.

The senator noted the Task Force’s many successes in bringing development closer to the people. He also stressed the importance of reintegrating former rebels into society by providing them the means to make a living and overcome poverty.

“Pare-parehas naman tayong Pilipino. Ibig sabihin, bigyan natin ng pagkakataon na magbagong buhay ‘yung sinong gustong magbagong buhay. Iyong iba pagod na ‘yan sa bundok, ‘di nga nila nasusulyapan ang itsura ng siyudad,” stressed Go, before reemphasizing the urgent need to bring an end to decades of armed conflict.

“Noon pa man, my stand ay hindi talaga nagbago. Ayaw ko ng nagpapatayan ang Pilipino kapwa Pilipino. Masakit sa akin. Ilang beses na kaming umakyat ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte diyan. ‘Pag may namatay na sundalo ang sakit ng dibdib namin. ‘Pag mayroong namatay na rebelde, kawawa rin ‘yung pamilya. Sino bang Pilipino ang gustong makipagpatayan sa kapwa Pilipino?” he asked.

In 2018, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 70 which institutionalized a whole-of-nation approach to attaining inclusive and sustainable peace. The Order also directed the adoption of a National Peace Framework to ensure the harmonized and synchronized delivery of services in conflict-affected and vulnerable areas as well as provided for the creation of the NTF-ELCAC. (PR) – bny

 

Popular

PBBM: No ‘political advantage’ behind disclosure of flood control mess in SONA 2025

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In the fifth episode of the BBM Podcast aired on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shared his insights on the...

PBBM touts education as the key towards national, social progress

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet “Every project, every policy, every program, every peso must move the needle for Filipino families.” Halfway through his term as the country’s...

On Teachers’ Month, DepEd notes good news for teachers

By Brian Campued As the Philippines joins the global community in honoring the invaluable contributions of teachers in shaping the next generation’s leaders and professionals,...

Phivolcs identifies fault that caused magnitude 6.9 Cebu quake

By Brian Campued State seismologists have located the source of the powerful offshore earthquake that jolted northern Cebu and the rest of Visayas on Sept....