The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) defended the sharp increase in the proposed budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), emphasizing that the funds are intended to directly support development in barangays cleared of insurgency.

During Monday’s budget deliberations, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla explained that the proposed ₱8.08 billion budget for 2026 represents a 314% increase from the ₱1.95 billion approved in 2025. He said the funds will go to barangays officially declared free of communist influence, each of which is recommended to receive ₱10 million for development initiatives.

Remulla noted that in previous years, the NTF-ELCAC budget had been “drastically cut down to half or around one-third of the budget.” It must be noted that under the National Expenditure Program in 2025, P7.8 billion was proposed, but it was reduced to P1.95 billion per the General Appropriations Act. He added, “This year, the full allocation is requested to be given to those certified as clear or have been cleared of communist insurgency.”

He also clarified the intended use of the funds: “It is a reward for their performance and their cooperation [to] eliminate the insurgencies in their barangays. It goes straight to them and not to the other layers of government.”

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said 780 barangays are set to benefit from the allocation in 2025. He emphasized that the projects were identified by the communities themselves: “There were several consultations to determine the priority needs of the barangays. These are the projects which are funded by the SBD fund.”

To ensure accountability, Iringan added that safeguards are in place to monitor project implementation. He said local government units (LGUs) must strictly follow guidelines issued by the Department of Budget and Management, and that civil society organizations (CSOs) are involved in monitoring the progress of the projects.

Original Article At: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-defends-proposed-NTF-ELCAC-budget-hike-to-over-8-billion/NC-2025-1182