One of the main focus of the Philippine Government at present is to end the local communist armed conflict which affected the different areas of the Country. In response to this, our government issued Executive Order No. 70 which institutionalizes the Whole-of-Nation-Approach as a government policy for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace. In this manner, the Government shall prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development in conflict affected areas and vulnerable communities, facilitate social inclusivity and ensure participation of all sectors.

As such, the DILG Region 12 conducted the RTF-ELCAC Coordination Meeting last August 16, 2019 at The Farm@Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City to get updates on the activities which conducted by the different agencies in implementing the mandate of EO No. 70.

The Meeting was attended by the National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency (NICA) Region XII, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region XII, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 10 ID and 6 ID, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Region XII, National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) Region XII, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region XII, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region XII, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Region XII, Department of Agriculture (DA) Region XII, and National Coalition for Indigenous People (NCIP) Region XII.

Below are the highlights of the meeting to wit:

• The group discussed the activities to be conducted as the next steps pursuant to the implementation of EO No. 70. Those agencies who have already started the implementation (NICA, TESDA, AFP, and DILG) presented their accomplishments.
• The Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) was presented during the meeting where everyone was informed that all regions must adopt the mandate of EO No. 70 all at the same time to ensure that the communist groups will not have any chance of transferring to other areas.
• The 10 ID of the AFP-PA presented the security plan for the conduct of Local Serbisyo Caravan in the pilot barangays (Brgy. Biangan, Makilala and Brgy. Balite, Magpet, Cotabato Province) was also shown to the group. AFP Personnel suggested to include other barangays such as Columbio in Sultan Kudarat. The Caravan will be attended by the Cabinet Clusters/Secretaries.
• The group agreed that the RTF-PTF Meetings will be conducted on September 9-12, 2019 in North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani Province and South Cotabato respectively.
• Updates on the upcoming Regional Convergence Workshop on August 29-30, 2019 in Koronadal City were also presented.
• Everyone committed to do the necessary preparation before the conduct of the Local Serbisyo Caravan to the pilot areas.

It was also mentioned that DILG Secretary Eduardo Aňo will visit Sarangani Province to which a pilot area will also be selected.