MANILA, Philippines — Around 200 barangays in Eastern Visayas have been cleared of the influence of New People’s Army rebels, according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said these barangays would be covered by the barangay development program next year.
President Duterte will lead the launch of the program in the region today.
At least P20 million for development projects has been earmarked under the program for barangays declared insurgency-free.