President Duterte welcomes former rebels in Malacañang. (PCOO)

In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to step up the government’s peace initiatives in the local level, the first barangay summit that tackled the fight communist insurgency was held recently in the Caraga Region.

The event led by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also served as a covenant signing for peace between the national government and local stakeholder and was the jump off point in disseminating more information about Executive Order 70 issued by the Chief Executive last year.

EO 70 institutionalizes a “whole-of-nation approach” in ending communist insurgency by adopting a national peace framework towards attaining lasting peace and development in the country particularly in areas burdened by longtime armed conflict.

“This is the first time for a region, and for any regional task force, that a barangay summit on EO 70 was held. This is also the first time that a regional task force has initiated a film festival under the direction of the Philippine National Police. We blazed a trail here in Caraga,” Nograles said in his address before summit attendees at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center in Butuan City on 12 September.

Nograles is the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) and Chairperson of the Caraga Regional Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflicts (RTF-ELCAC).

He noted that what they did in Caraga would be the template used in other regions for the localized implementation of EO 70 at the grassroots level.

“We did it in Caraga, and we can replicate the success in other areas,” he said.

“During the second RTF-ELCAC meeting I was asked what was next move and I said we should localize the regional task force. To that end, nothing is more local than our barangays,” he added.

Nograles shared that they were able to get the support of 80 pilot barangays for the initiative, a big push to start the Duterte administration’s efforts for localized peace development.

“It’s important that government is able to quickly address local concerns, such as those relating to peace and order,” Nograles stated.

“This is the priority of President Duterte. Our President wants to end the communist armed conflict. This is also one of the reasons why I volunteered as CORDS of Caraga. I’m fully aware that addressing various social, political and economic issues is key to ending the insurgency,” he further said.

The task force’s other objectives include social development programs targeting geographically-isolated barangays. Projects such as roads, school buildings, health centers and other basic services ensure that the needs of the people are met and addressed.