The National Capital Region Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (NCRTF-ELCAC) First Meeting for 2024, presided over by the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for NCR and TESDA Secretary Suharto T. Mangudadatu, DPA, was held at Casa Ibarra, Pasay City on March 21, 2024.

The NCRTF-ELCAC Meeting served as a platform to present the significant accomplishments of NCRTF-ELCAC, the new roadmap for NCRTF-ELCAC, and the priority areas of the Capacitating Urban Communities for Peace and Development (CUCPD) Program implementation for 2024. TESDA-NCR, as the head of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of NCRTF-ELCAC highlighted the significant accomplishments of the task force for the first quarter of 2024 and emphasized the importance of devising timely interventions for the youth, students, and other vulnerable sectors.

National Secretariat for ELCAC Executive Director and Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres, Jr. oriented the participants on the new roadmap for NCRTF-ELCAC, putting emphasis on promoting a “whole-of-government” approach in bringing government services closer to the people, particularly to the vulnerable sectors and communities in the region.

NCRTF-ELCAC Head Secretariat and DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III apprised the body on the priority sectors of the CUCPD Program for 2024. CUCPD is one the key strategies under ELCAC which utilizes a sectoral-based approach to identify the real and most urgent needs of the most vulnerable members of the society. RD Agustin emphasized that DILG-NCR, as the lead proponent of the CUCPD Program, will closely collaborate with other member-agencies which have initiatives and programs that would cater to the needs of CUCPD’s priority sectors.

Towards the end of the meeting, CORDS-NCR and TESDA Secretary Mangudadatu commended the continued efforts of the NCRTF-ELCAC towards promoting peace and development in NCR. Secretary Mangudadatu encouraged the member-agencies and LGUs to facilitate the establishment of a Barangay Task Force for ELCAC, to complement the efforts of the NCRTF-ELCAC and implement programs, projects, and activities reflective of a whole-of-nation approach in attaining sustainable peace and development.