ONCE barangays formerly under the influence of insurgents have been cleared, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said anti-poverty programs must be immediately cascaded to prevent the former communist rebels from returning to the mountains.
He was referring to the Support to the Barangay Development Fund (SBDF) that has been prioritizing projects aimed at uplifting the lives of people in barangays that have been removed from New People’s Army (NPA) control.
“Yes, like ng ginagawa namin sa cleared barangays, ang Support the Barangay Development Fund, farm-to-market road, electrification, water, ang basic na kailangan ng tao. Kasi kung ganun lang, baka bumalik eh. So we make sure sa DILG that all these components are there,” Abalos said.
Abalos made this comment on the sidelines of the National Security Cluster Communications of the “Bagong Pilipinas” Media Engagement and Workshop held at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales province from May 2 to 4.
While the Philippine National Police can take over internal security operations, Abalos believes that military presence in the cleared barangays must remain along with the implementation of anti-poverty programs. (PNA)
