Año appeals to senators: Don’t defund NTF-ELCAC

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is appealing to senators not to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its controversial P16.4-billion barangay development program (BDP) for former communist strongholds.

“The government’s efforts in clearing these barangays of communist terrorists will be put to waste if we suddenly leave them hanging now that they have been freed from the clutches of communist terrorist groups. We therefore appeal to our senators not to deprive these barangays of government support and assistance now that they need us most,” Año said in a statement.

Año said the multibillion-peso fund will bring development and improve the living conditions in 822 insurgency-free barangays. He assured transparency in implementating the BDP, which allots P20 million per barangay.

He said these barangays, long been neglected by government, will benefit from funding alloted for infrastructure projects like farm-to-market roads and health stations, as well as livelihood or vocational training.

“The very reason that these barangays were misled and influenced by the communist terrorist groups is because the people never felt the presence of government. For the first time, they will get the government attention and assistance that they deserve,” he added.

Several senators earlier threatened to defund the NTF-ELCAC and the BDP over the remarks made by its spokespersons claiming that community pantries were linked to communists.