Allocation of funds for barangay dev’t programs to counter insurgency backed
Sen. Panfilo Lacson supports the allocation of funds for development programs in barangays to counter communist insurgency.
Lacson allayed concerns over the allocation proposed by the Executive department for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) Barangay Development Program.
Of the P19-billion proposed NTF-ELCAC budget for next year, P16.4 billion was earmarked for the program.
“These are distributed sa implementing agencies. May (There is a) task force but they only serve as secretariat. Most of it will be implemented by the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), and they are being downloaded to LGUs (local government units),” Lacson said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel, echoing the explanation of Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado during the Senate hearing on Wednesday.
“Once a barangay is cleared, the LGUs through the DILG would need funds to consolidate and develop their areas. So the insurgents, CPP-NPAs will not go back to the mountains anymore. So I’m supportive of that program of the government. We’ve been in this for 50 years na or 60 years,” he added.
Lacson, one of the vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that the funds would be used to assist rebel returnees and develop communities
“Di ito pang-giyera (This will not be used for war). Because DND (Department of National Defense), DILG, the PNP (Philippine National Police) for that matter, have their own budget to address the insurgency problem,” he said.
“Ang P19 billion ito ang sa (This P19 billion is for the) development phase. ‘Pag na-clear na barangays (If barangays are cleared of communist insurgency), that’s where it will come in,” he said.
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