By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division cited the support of several local government officials in the Visayas for their support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
In a press statement, Major General Eric C Vinoya, 3rd ID commander, said they appreciated the support of local government officials for the “sustained funding of NTF-ELCAC.”
It added that the “call for support came after some senators threatened to defund NTF-ELCAC.”
The 3rd ID identified these local chief executives as Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo; Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr; Mayor Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City; Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. of Escalante City; Mayor Ernesto Estrao of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental; and Mayor Vicente Jaen II of Leganes, Iloilo.
Also vocally throwing their support were Barangay Captain Edgar Araṅador of Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City, and Barangay Captain Ladislao Pontevedra Jr., of Langub, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
On April 26, 2021, Treñas said that he firmly believes that “the NTF-ELCAC’s budget will be a big boost to the development and infrastructure of barangays, especially those facing problems on the communist insurgency.”
Further, “as mayor of Iloilo City, I strongly oppose the proposed defunding of the Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program,” Treñas said.
For the 3rd ID, the local officials shared the same sentiments on the importance of development fund with the end goal of bringing development to former conflict-hit communities.
“We are grateful for your overwhelming support to the anti-insurgency campaign that aims to end the local communist armed conflict. Your people are lucky to have you as their leaders who fight not only for their own welfare, but for the whole community as well,” Vinoya said.
He added that the local chief executives’ statement is a manifestation of their sincerity to fulfill the people’s dream for a violence and insurgency-free region.
