A total of 28,415 barangays in 60 provinces nationwide have been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
The task force said government programs in communities previously affected by armed conflict have helped reduce the influence of rebel groups in these areas.
Of the total, around 21,614 barangays are located in nine entire regions that have been declared under SIPS. The remaining 6,801 are in provinces that have achieved SIPS status within regions still working toward the same goal.
The NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the next challenge is to sustain peace through continued development and good governance in communities.
According to Rodrigo Lutao, NTF-ELCAC deputy director for operations, development projects in areas previously affected by armed conflict are an important part of maintaining peace.
Billions of Pesos for Barangay Development
As of September 29, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) had covered 5,638 formerly conflict-affected barangays, supported by a total of ₱44.90 billion in investments. An estimated 16.03 million Filipinos are benefiting from these projects.
Completed projects include:
- 955 classrooms
- 1,587.02 kilometers of farm-to-market roads
- 23,681 streetlights
- 1,169 water and sanitation systems
- 9,264 electrification projects
- 547 health and medical stations
This year, the government also allocated ₱8.08 billion for projects in 808 barangays declared cleared of insurgent influence. Planned projects include roads, schools, water systems, health stations, and electrification facilities.
Peace Accompanied by Development
According to Lutao, the growing number of barangays achieving SIPS status is closely linked to the government's expanding development programs.
These projects aim to ensure that as the influence of armed insurgency declines, residents gain better access to essential services, including roads, electricity, safe drinking water, education, healthcare, livelihood support, and economic opportunities.
The task force stressed that sustaining these gains will require the continued implementation of development programs and stronger democratic governance in communities. (Story source: Daily Tribune.)
