Solon calls out DILG for lack of mechanism, third party for NTF-ELCAC projects

A lawmaker on Monday questioned the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the supposed lack of a mechanism in its barangay development program.

During the House budget hearing on the proposed P248,530,849 DILG budget for 2022, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas called out the selection process of barangays that would receive millions in development funds from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“Kayo (DILG) po ang magbibigay ng P20 million, kayo rin ang magsi-certify na cleared na ‘yan. Walang third party agency na siyang magve-verify nito,” she said.

(You are the ones who will give P20 million and also the one who will certify if the locality is cleared of the insurgency. There would be no third party agency who will verify this)

A P28.1 billion budget had been proposed for the NTF-ELCAC for 2022.

The DILG, which is part of the NTF-ELCAC, would provide P110 million for the anti-insurgency efforts.

Under the anti-insurgency task force’s project, the government will give P20 million to barangays cleared of communist rebel influence.

Brosas also called out the DILG for not presenting the lists of over 800 cleared barangays in 2021 and the over 1,400 barangays in 2022, each of which were the recipients of the P20 million development fund.

However, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año explained that military and police personnel had been conducting clearing operations in barangays to determine the degree of influence of insurgents in these areas.

Once cleared, concerned provincial governors would lead the evaluation on the cleared barangays.

Año pointed out that civil society groups, non-government institutions, and private citizens are also involved in determining the development projects needed in the barangays.

According to Brosas, this process was not included in the proposed budget.

Año said that the DILG would submit the list of the cleared barangays to the House Committee on Appropriations. — DVM, GMA News