The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Tuesday has reaffirmed its solid commitment to contribute to the whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace and development.

During the fifth anniversary of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that the agency is still keen on bringing services closer to the people, especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

"We have also continued to reach out and encourage our 'lost' brothers and sisters who have been misled to believe in obsolete ideologies to choose the path of peace instead of violence," Abalos said.

He reported that for the past few years, over six million community residents in conflict areas have already benefited from 3,460 completed projects by the NTF-ELCAC under the Support to Barangay Development Program.

"Such projects include farm-to-market roads, water systems, school buildings, health stations, rural electrification, Covid-19 projects, and training and livelihood assistance to indigent families and individuals," Abalos  said.

"We are inspired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s gesture of peace and reconciliation with the landmark signing of Amnesty Proclamations 403, 404, 405 and 406, which grant amnesty to former members of various rebel groups for crimes committed under the Revised Penal Code," he added.

Meantime, the NTF-ELCAC issued a statement on Vice President Sara Duterte's appeal to the President regarding the Amnesty offered to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front and the recent signing of the Joint Communique by government and NDF representatives in Oslo.