The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XII reaffirmed its strong commitment to peacebuilding and good governance during the 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) XII Technical Working Group, held on July 2 at Avior Hotel, General Santos City.

Representing Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE, was LGOO V and OIC-Assistant Division Chief Mel Roy B. Manait, who reported significant progress under the DILG-led clusters—Basic Services, Localized Peace Engagement, ECLIP and Amnesty, SUCBEM, and Local Government. These milestones reflect the department’s sustained efforts to empower communities and foster lasting peace, particularly in conflict-affected areas, through flagship programs such as the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) and the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).

Underscoring the importance of convergence and inter-agency coordination, Manait presented the consolidated results of engagements with ELCAC-target barangays for CY 2023–2024. This led to the approval of a resolution endorsing their inclusion in the 2027 Annual Investment Program (AIP) of concerned national agencies.

To institutionalize peace advocacy at the grassroots level, he also proposed a resolution to integrate Executive Order No. 70 into the Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Orientation Program. Additionally, he urged the National Task Force-ELCAC to develop standardized operational guidelines for cluster chairmanships, particularly for the NAP-UPD Cluster.

These strategic inputs contribute to DILG XII’s proactive stance in laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and impactful agenda in the upcoming Full Council Meeting, tentatively set for July 24, 2025.

The meeting was presided over by Undersecretary Augusto D. Dela Peña of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), who serves as Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resources and CORDS Alternate.