The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through its Peace and Development Office (PDO) and the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), on Tuesday launched the People's Organization Sustainment Program (POSP) to strengthen partnerships with people's organizations and advance peace and development initiatives in the National Capital Region.

Launched at the NCRCOM Grandstand in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the program carries the theme, "Empowered People's Organizations: Strengthening Communities for Long-Term Sustainability."

The initiative aims to institutionalize government support for accredited people's organizations by strengthening their organizational capacity, enhancing collaboration with government agencies, and building community resilience against threats to peace and security.

The event was attended by representatives from people's organizations, government agencies, and partner stakeholders, underscoring their commitment to advancing inclusive development through the government's whole-of-nation approach.

Messages of support were delivered by Lt. Gen. Edmundo G. Peralta, AFP deputy chief of staff representing the AFP chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Gregorio B. Hernandez Jr., commander of NCRCOM; Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Director Izza Mari D. Laurio-Abadiano of the National Barangay Operations Office; and National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict Director for Operations Arnulfo Ferdinand G. Bajarin.

The officials emphasized that empowered people's organizations play a vital role in participatory governance, community resilience, and sustainable peace and development at the grassroots level.

Department of National Defense Undersecretary Angelito M. De Leon, undersecretary for defense affairs and chairperson of Task Force Balik-Loob, reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening people's organizations and encouraging greater collaboration in pursuit of peace, unity, and development.

The program also featured an audio-visual presentation titled "Empowered People's Organizations: Strengthening Communities for Long-Term Sustainability," highlighting the role of people's organizations in nation-building and the need for sustained government support.

The AFP said the launch of the POSP reflects its continuing commitment to empowering legitimate people's organizations as partners in addressing the root causes of insurgency, preventing exploitation by communist terrorist groups, and promoting peaceful, resilient, and self-reliant communities.

Through strengthened collaboration with government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders, NCRCOM said it remains committed to advancing lasting peace, security, and sustainable development across the National Capital Region.