822 NPA-free barangays set to get P20-M gov’t aid — Esperon

MANILA, Philippines – Over 800 barangays nationwide which eliminated the presence and influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) are set to receive a P20 million worth of projects each, aimed at uplifting the lives of its residents. 

In a speech in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, who is also vice-chairman of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said that 822 barangays nationwide are set to receive P20 million as a “reward” for ridding their localities of NPA rebels.

The NTF-ELCAC previously received a P19 billion allocation under the 2021 national budget. 

File photo shows members of the New People’s Army surrendering and turning over their guns to military officials in Daraga town. (MARK ALVIC ESPLANA)

 “I pardon sir for sharing this, but you wanted to start the program immediately but COVID-19 came in kaya nagkaroon ng delay (that’s why it was delayed). But today, we have the funds for the barangay development program for 822 barangays,” Esperon said. 

 “We have 822 barangays under NPA influence cleared from 2016 to 2019. One hundred nineteen of these are in Region 10, iyong mga barangay captain, they are here to symbolically receive,” he added. 

 The P20 million incentive will be form of farm to market roads, classrooms, electrification projects, health centers, water systems, communal irrigation projects, among others, Esperon said. 

 The National Security Adviser also said that the Department of Budget and Management has already issued the circular for the release of the funds, and the documents needed will be submitted within the week by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

 “So we are ready to roll out the project on March 15 or upon your orders,” Esperon told the President. 

 gsg