NTF-Elcac logo. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Makabayan bloc want to realign the funds of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) due to its unfinished projects and slow use of funds.
During the House committee on appropriations’ hearing on the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) proposed budget for 2025 on Thursday, Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said all projects under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) are still ongoing.
The BDP is one of the main initiatives under the NTF-Elcac for this year. The program “intends to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities,” the NTF-Elcac’s website reads.
READ: NTF-Elcac won’t be abolished by Marcos, says security council exec
During the hearing, Manuel questioned the implementation of BDP projects for 2023 and 2024.
“How about 2024? Out of 885 projects, how many were completed?” Manuel asked
“For 2024, the Department of Budget and Management just released the amount to our local government units. That’s why our LGUs are still in the process of procuring the projects,” Iringan said.
Appalled by this, Manuel pointed out that the NTF-Elcac only has four months to implement the projects for this year.
He also pointed out that this is not the first time he noted NTF-Elcac’s slow use of funds.
“Noong 2021, kailangan pang umabot hanggang June of this year para lang umabot sa 96 percent yung kanilang obligation rate. So, kung ganito for 2024, kailan na naman nila magagamit yung buong pondo for this year? Aabot ba tayo 2027?” Manuel asked.
(The task force reached 96 percent of their obligation rate in June this year from 2021. So if the same thing happens in 2024, when can they use all the funds? 2027?)
“Tapos, ang naisipan ng NTF-Elcac, for the Barangay Development Program ay taasan pa kung ano yung nasa National Expenditure Program (NEP). Hindi natin matatanggap na ganito na naman,” he added.
(Despite this, the NTF-Elcac wants to increase the funds for BDP in the NEP. We cannot accept this.)
Iringan said for 2023, the NTF-Elcac accomplished 841 of the 1,253 BDP projects.
Manuel called to defund the NTF-Elcac, including the BDP for 2025, and realign the fund to other national agencies related to education, health, and other social services.
In the same hearing, Brosas opposed the increased budget allocation for the NTF-Elcac and likewise called for the realignment of the budget.
“Mula sa P2.1 bilyon, tumaas nang 371 percent ang pondo para sa Barangay Development Fund ng NTF-Elcac papuntang P7.8 billion,” she said.
(From P2.1 billion, it increased the fund of the BDP by 371 percent or P7.8 billion.)
She also questioned the logic behind this, saying the funds were reportedly used to pressure, monitor, and harass progressive groups and individuals.
Moreover, Brosas reiterated United Nations special rapporteur Irene Khan’s recommendation to abolish the task force.