The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) hosted the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on March 18, 2025 at the PIA Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City. The series featured the National Capital Region Joint Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NCR JTF-ELCAC), the working party which prioritizes a whole-of-nation approach aimed at defeating local communist terrorist groups and achieving sustainable, inclusive peace across the National Capital Region. The discussions in the live series focused on the long-term and expanded Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), led by the NCR JTF-ELCAC, which supports former rebels (FRs) and includes a national amnesty program to help them reintegrate into society.

In the presentation of clusters, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency NCR Regional Director Dennis Gammad discussed the programs aimed at transforming rebels into ‘friends returned.’  DILG National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV placed emphasis on citizen engagement and participatory governance through involving the youth and civil society organizations through the Local Government Empowerment Cluster. 

The Poverty Reduction, Livelihood, and Employment Cluster (PRLEC), headed by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-National Capital Region (TESDA NCR), tackled labor and employment challenges, along with food security issues, within the urban poor sector and across the National Capital Region. The DSWD also presented their initiatives that embody the essence of sustaining peace, by actively working to improve the delivery of basic social services. These efforts as shown i strengthen the government’s presence, contributing to the promotion of unity, peace, and development for all people in the country.

Aside from the reintegrating former rebels back with the general public, and meeting the needs of the urban poor sector by focusing on poverty reduction, livelihood and employment, and food security, the NTF-ELCAC aims to empower youth through various initiatives that foster their participation in community development and peace-building efforts. 

The Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a weekly online forum created by the Presidential Communications Office through the Philippine Information Agency to amplify public understanding and engagement in the national government’s programs, projects, and activities. The series focusing on the episodes from the regional agencies of the National Capital Region can be watched live at 9:00AM every Tuesday through the PIA Metro Manila Facebook page.