98.78% of P16.4B fund under NTF-ELCAC program released to LGUs —DILG

At least P16.24 billion or 98.78% of the funds under the program of the anti-insurgency task force has already been released to local government units, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Secretary Eduardo Año said the disbursed amount will finance 2,276 projects in 812 barangays, which was approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“We will implement some 2,276 projects which will benefit our kababayans in the sitios and barrios that were formerly influenced by the communist terrorists,” he said.

“These projects are tangible proof of the government’s desire to bring development to far flung areas that have not seen government projects in a very long time,” he added.

Año said most of the projects are infrastructure projects including 926 farm-to-market roads, 516 water and sanitation projects, 156 health stations, and 135 school buildings.

At least P11.611 billion has been earmarked for farm-to-market road projects, P2.386 billion for water and sanitation system, P569 million for school buildings, P491 million for health stations, P482 million for rural electrification, and P328 million for agricultural, livelihood, and technical vocational projects.

Año added that P170 million will be used for other infrastructure projects, P110 million for the cost of assistance to indigent individuals and families, P49 million for the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair and other similar projects, P16 million for housing, and P22.5 million for COVID-19-related projects.

The regions with the biggest allocation are Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.

The 10 remaining barangays whose funds have yet to be released are in the process of completing their documentary project requirements as prescribed by the DBM.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the department will monitor these projects to ensure that they are following the guidelines and the law.

The Barangay Development Program (BDP) is a flagship program to address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to concerned communities.

According to the DILG, the total budget of P16.44 billion for the 822 barangays is directly released to the provincial or city governments and not coursed through the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. -MDM, GMA News