NTF-ELCAC's barangay development program gets P8.1-B

The Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has been allocated P8.1 billion under the 2026 National Expenditure Program.

In his budget message, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said this is an increase of 314.4 percent from the P2.0 billion allocation in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Marcos said this is to provide support programs, including farm-to-market roads, school buildings, water and sanitation systems, health stations, and electrification for each of the 808 cleared barangays as certified by the NTF-ELCAC.

The BDP, a flagship program of the NTF-ELCAC, is an initiative spearheaded by the local government units in the Philippines to promote development at the grassroots level. 

This program intends to bring sustainable development programs to conflict-prone and conflict-affected communities. It also focuses on addressing the needs and concerns of barangays, which are the smallest administrative divisions in our country, or identified as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.—LDF, GMA Integrated News