The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Romblon province started to introduce President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order No. 70, which establishes the whole-of-nation approach in ending local communist armed conflict, during October's Barangay Assemblies.
In Barangay Mayha in Odiongan town, DILG's showcase barangay for 2019's 2nd semester Barangay Assembly Day, DILG-Romblon focal person Threeks Fontamillas briefed barangay officials and residents regarding the department's Memorandum Circular 125 – 2019, which provides guidelines to local government units in the implementation of EO No. 70.
Fontamillas said that the National Government created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and this was addopted by the province during last month's Provincial Development Council meeting in Romblon, Romblon.
Barangays are required to organize their Barangay Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, according to MC 125 of the DILG.
Fontamillas also asked the public to support the government's campaign to end local communist armed conflict despite Romblon's declaration as an insurgency-free province.
“Maganda po dito sa Romblon kasi na declare tayo na insurgency-free, ibig sabihin, sabi ng AFP ay wala silang nakikitang activities dito [ng communist rebels], pero sana hindi lang doon matapos na porke na-declare na tayo ay tumigil nalang doon. Sana po ang ating mga barangay officials ay magkaroon ng plano,” Fontamillas said as he addresses the public.
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 599 series of 2018 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, Saturday and Sundays of March and October of every year have been declared as Barangay Assembly Day.
Barangay officials are mandated to gather their residents for an assembly to discuss their accomplishments, updates on national laws, and to know the community's issues and concerns.
