THE National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) yesterday made an appeal to the lawmakers, critics and even the public to understand the importance of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) whose main purpose is to address communist armed insurgency in the country.

NTF-ELCAC Vice Chairman and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon issued a statement following the threat of some senators and congressmen to defund the agency due to alleged red-tagging activities of some of its members particularly concerning the community pantry.

In fact, Esperon said, the NTF-ELCAC was grateful to the support of Congress in the counter-insurgency when it provided P16.44 billion funds for BDP under the General Appropriations Act of 2021.

“As the Vice Chairman of the NTF-ELCAC, I take cognizance of the pronouncements not just of our good Senators and honorable Representatives in Congress but also of the calls of the general public elsewhere on the BDP. I know that these voices come from a place of deep concern over the utilization of its funds under the GAA,” Esperon stressed.

“Allow me to reassure the public that the package of programs under the BDP are released following the stringent evaluation of the government agencies concerned,” he added.

Currently, a total of 525 out of 822 barangays cleared of New People’s Army (NPA) threat and influence are ready to enjoy different projects that can uplift people’s living condition as their respective proposals have already been endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

After thorough verification of the proposals, the BDP package of 483 barangays have already been approved with P9.66 billion ready for release.

Esperon clarified that this amount will not be provided in cash but in the form of projects as earlier proposed, to the local government units of the identified barangay recipients.

And through this system, Esperon stressed that the officers and members of the NTF-ELCAC are not gaining anything from the BDP, dismissing accusations of some sectors that this P16.44 billion is general’s pork barrel.

Contrary to the claims of some legislators that the said fund is a waste of taxpayer’s money, Esperon said the P16.44 billion is being utilized to bring sustainable grassroots development and empowerment to communities susceptible to recruitment into the insurgency.

The BDP is the flagship project of the Duterte administration under which about 822 barangays, that were freed from the ruling of CPP-NPA, will be given at least P20 million worth of different projects. In accordance with the DBM Local Budget Circular 135 and 135-A, the breakdown is P12 million for farm-to-market road; PP3 million for school classrooms; P2 million for water sanitation; P1.5 million for health station and P1.5 million for livelihood projects.

The NTF-ELCAC added that some government agencies and partners from the private sector may come in and contribute to the development of these communities.

“As public servants, we recognize the responsibility that comes with this substantial nationwide program, which is why the government has ensured that several measures of transparency were drafted,” Esperon said.

“It is easy to make speculations thus far on misuse of the BDP funds, but to substantiate allegations is a matter that requires comprehensive investigations altogether. I implore all the concerned stakeholders and general public to understand what the NTF-ELCAC and the BDP seek to accomplish,” he added.