RTF-ELCAC urged to foster lasting development in Caraga

MANILA – Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday called on the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Caraga to take a whole-of-nation approach to foster long lasting development in the region.

Pangandaman convened the second full council meeting of the RTF-ELCAC in Butuan City as the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORD) tasked to oversee the peace and development efforts in every region across the country.

The RTF-ELCAC is composed of local government officials, key representatives from national line agencies and members of civil society organizations.

"I encourage everyone to sustain our efforts and continue employing not just a whole-of-government, but also a whole-of-nation approach to develop strategic solutions that lead to lasting development," she told the members of the RTF-ELCAC Caraga.

"We are lucky to have a leader who strongly advocates for a unified and peaceful Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) where attaining our peace agenda and bolstering community development are a top priority," she added.

The meeting focused on the peace and development milestones in Caraga region, the work and financial plan for fiscal year 2025, and the latest development on the RTF-ELCAC Operations Center.

Pangandaman noted that under the 2025 National Expenditure Program, some P7.8 billion would be allotted for the implementation of the Support to the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force (NTF) ELCAC.

She said the proposed budget would support the construction of farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and electrification of 780 cleared villages as certified by the NTF-ELCAC.

"Sa ganitong paraan, masisiguro po nating natutulungan ang ating mga kababayan na magkaroon ng access sa mga proyekto at serbisyong magpapabuti sa kalidad ng kanilang pamumuhay (In this way, we can ensure that our citizens have access to projects and services that will improve their quality of life)," Pangandaman said. (PNA)