Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) XII - TWG calls for a Special cum 1st Quarter Technical Working Group Meeting on March 13, 2024 at Avior Hotel, General Santos City.  The Meeting was graced by DENR Undersecretary for Organizational Transformation and Human Resource, MGen. Augusto D. Dela Peña (Ret).

Usec. Dela Peña acknowledged the presence of the member agencies, particularly the full support and active participation of the JRTF-ELCAC XII Tri-Secretariat, the DILG XII, and the NEDA XII. He emphasized that the key to success will be each member agency's ongoing support and active participation, just like in the previous administration.

He also relayed to the members the expectations of the new CORDS, Sec. Loyzaga in the implementation of EO No. 70 in the region.  In the implementation of the Programs and Projects, it should have a Climate-risk lens (CCA and Mitigation Efforts), it would spur inclusive growth (land, livelihood, employment) and gender empowerment for sustainable development. 

Sec. Loyzaga wanted the region to have resiliency because disasters are innate risk of the region.   Hence, to achieve this, the CORDS wanted JRTF to prioritize the development of One Control Map (geo-spatial mapping) on peace, security, and development in order to maximize limited resources and PAPs implemented should be the stakeholders particularly those in vulnerable and conflict affected communities.

USec. Dela Peña also informed the body that the next meeting will be on April 1 or 2, 2024. He requested that the Principals (Regional Directors/Heads of Offices) to be present during the said meeting. 

On its part, LGOO VI Ian Jon S Clemente represented OIC Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESE of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII and presented the Major Thrusts and Priorities including the Issues and Concerns of the five (5) Clusters: the Basic Services, Local Government Empowerment, Sectoral Unification, Capacity Building, Empowerment and Mobilization (SUCBEM), ECLIP and Amnesty Program (EAP), and Localized Peace Engagement. 

Other Clusters that presented their thrust and priorities and issues and concerns are the PLEDS, SAKM and IRM Clusters.

Usec. Dela Peña also instructed the Secretariat to Screen, Filter and Triage the issues and concerns prior to the Presentation to the Full Council or to the NTF-ELCAC.

In the afternoon, the JRTF-ELCAC XII TWG Meeting was presided by DENR XII Regional Executive Director, Atty. Felix S. Alicer.  

NEDA XII presented the Structure and Protocols of JRTF ELCAC and TWG Work Program for CY 2024, specifically the schedule of events for the Full Council Meetings and RTF Meetings. 

The body approved and adopted a total of 5 Resolutions.

The Meeting was adjourned at 3:46 in the afternoon.