As the lead agency of the five (5) RTF-ELCAC Clusters namely: Basic Services Cluster, Local Government Empowerment Cluster, Localized Peace Engagement Cluster, ECLIP and Amnesty Program Cluster, and Sectoral Unification, Capacity Building, Empowerment and Mobilization (SUCBEM) Clusters, the Department of the Interior and Local Government XII facilitated the 1st Quarter DILG-led Clusters Meeting on March 21-22, 2024, at the Farm @ Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato. A total of 40 participants attended the meeting.

During her opening message, OIC-Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE acknowledged and thanked the presence of the member agencies and Provincial Task-Forces on ELCAC. RD Sero recognized everyone for their full support and active participation in the implementation of EO 70. “This 2-day Clusters Meeting is a manifestation of your agency’s commitment to the ELCAC program to achieve our desire and aspiration of having peace and security in our region”, she added.

She also re-echoed the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos last October 2023. President Marcos hailed the gains made by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Regional Task Forces, and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the fight against insurgency. The President reminded everyone to take an “optimistic yet cautious steps to mind” in order to achieve the objective of having a long-lasting peace and order in the region especially in the GIDA areas.

During the meeting presided by RD Sero, each member-agencies and Provincial Task Forces (PTFs) were allotted enough time to present and deliver their organization’s major milestones/accomplishments, issues and concerns and ways forward.

Thereafter, LGOO VI Ian Jon S. Clemente, Assistant Division Chief of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division took over the responsibility as the acting presiding officer.He informed the body that the target schedule for the next meeting will be on May 9-10, 2024 and expects that all member agencies and PTFs will be present.

The activity was also graced by BGen Patricio Ruben Amata, Brigadier Commander of 1002nd BDE, 10th Infantry Division, Ms. Prima Jesusa Quinsayas, Deputy Regional Prosecutor of DOJ-RPO XII, and Engr. Girafil M. Cabalquinto, Regional Director of DHSUD XII. The participating agencies include the DHSUD XII, DOJ XII, DA XII, DSWD XII, DOH XII, DOLE XII, NCIP XII, PNP-PRO XII, and the Philippine Army. Also, the Provincial Task Forces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato and a CSO representative from Mahintana Foundation, Inc. joined the activity.

Among the agreements, instructions and resolutions passed during are as follows:

Instructions/Agreements:

1. AFP to identify IP Barangays for the conduct of Serbisyo Caravans through the Mobile Community Support Sustainment Program;
2. Conduct of capacity development to BPOC Members (in partnership with LnB, LMP and Governors) and AFP;
3. Creation of  Core Team/Task Force in the Development of the uniformed/standard module on the Deradicalization for the Former Rebels (by category)  and for Violent Extremist (localized module);
4. Development of Conflict Transformation Strategies Handbook for Local Officials;
5. DSWD to recognize the JAPIC Certification as basis in the issuance of Barangay Certification/IDs;
6. PLGUs to provide the DILG of priority PPAs of ELCAC Barangays for CY 2023;
7. Creation of Gdrive link of containing the list of ELCAC barangays from CY 2020-2024 and other relevant policies of the NTF-ELCAC;
8. Come up with a standard module on BPATs and PNP Training;
9. Orientation on the ECLIP Guidelines for PNP and other member agencies

Resolution Passed:

1. Resolution requesting the PSA and LCR to process or issue Registration/Certificate of Live Birth for free to communities during Lokal Serbisyo Caravan;
2. Resolution enjoining LGUs to implement the CBMS in compliance with RA 11315, An Act establishing based community-based Monitoring System and Appriorating Based Government;
3. Resolution endorsing the FY2024 Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the 90 barangays of Region 12 amounting to Two Million to Two Hundred Twenty-Five Million Pesos (Php 225,000,000.00) only to the NTF-ELCAC for approval.