The Regional Development Council in Central Visayas has endorsed to the national line agencies and National Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) over P1.9 billion worth of priority programs, projects and activities of the target barangays in the region.

During its first quarter full council meeting on February 26, the body agreed to endorse all 326 ELCAC projects amounting to P1,986,998,250 for inclusion in the FY 2022 budget.

Of the total amount, the province of Negros Oriental proposed the biggest chunk amounting to P1,144,998,250 allocation for its 25 target barangays while Bohol Province proposed P524,915,000 allocation for its 19 target barangays. Further, Cebu Province proposed P317,750,000 budget allocation for its 7 target barangays.

Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 Director Leocadio Trovela thanked the regional line agencies and the four sub-sectoral committees of RDC for the support and endorsement of the proposed ELCAC PAPs.

Trovela informed the body of the successful conduct of the Dagyawan sa Barangay in 2020 which covered all target local government units in the region.

In 2020, Central Visayas has 51 target barangays under ELCAC-Retooled Community Support Program.

The endorsed programs, projects and activities aimed to attain inclusive and sustainable peace through intensified development and other peace-building initiatives in conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 which created task forces to end armed conflict in the country.