Peace takes root in 28,415 villages
The government is expanding its footprint in the countryside, with 28,415 barangays across 60 provinces now declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) reported over the weekend.
The task force attributed the gains to sustained government development programs in communities once affected by armed conflict, saying these have helped weaken the influence of communist insurgents.
“For NTF-ELCAC, the 28,415 SIPS barangays across 60 provinces represent a stark measure of how much ground the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) armed insurgency has lost,” the task force said.
Of the total, 21,614 barangays belong to nine entire regions already declared under SIPS, while another 6,801 are in provinces moving toward the same status, it added.
The task force said the next challenge is to ensure that peace gains endure through development and effective democratic governance.
“The challenge now is to ensure that peace, development and democratic governance permanently occupy the ground insurgency has lost,” it said.
NTF-ELCAC deputy director for operations Rodrigo Lutao said the expansion of SIPS must go hand in hand with development in formerly conflict-affected communities.
As of 29 September, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) had covered 5,638 villages previously affected by conflict, backed by P44.90 billion in investments benefiting an estimated 16.03 million Filipinos.
These investments have funded 955 classrooms, 1,587.02 kilometers of farm-to-market roads, 23,681 streetlights, 1,169 water and sanitation systems, 9,264 electrification projects, and 547 health and medical stations, Lutao said.
For 2026, the government allocated P8.08 billion for development projects in 808 cleared barangays, including roads, schools, water systems, health stations and electrification.
Lutao said the SIPS and BDP figures reflect two linked developments: the declining reach of armed insurgency and the growing presence of government services in vulnerable communities.
As security improves, the government aims to sustain peace by expanding access to education, healthcare, electricity, clean water, livelihood opportunities and infrastructure.
The task force said lasting peace would depend on ensuring that communities continue to benefit from development and democratic governance long after insurgent influence recedes.