Iloilo seeks DBM approval for PHP 196M ELCAC fund

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. formally requested the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to reallocate PHP 196 million under the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) program, following implementation setbacks that led to the return of the funds.

Defensor raised the request during a dinner meeting he hosted for Budget Secretary Rolando Toledo and national and regional DBM officials on Feb. 17 at Tatoy’s Atria in Iloilo City.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said in a social media post that the allocation had been reverted due to challenges in implementing projects in geographically isolated areas.

Banias added that the relatively small project costs also posed difficulties in execution, but described the engagement as “productive and convivial.”

The RTF-ELCAC is the regional counterpart of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, created to coordinate government efforts in addressing local communist armed conflict through a whole-of-nation approach, with funds typically earmarked for development projects in remote and conflict-affected communities.

Discussions also covered collaborative efforts to streamline the province’s fiscal processes and advance its applications under the Local Government Support Fund.

Also present at the meeting were Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, Provincial Budget Officer Dr. Mitchelene Resano, Provincial Treasurer Jean Maire Umadhay, and Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio.

The provincial government thanked the DBM delegation for the visit, noting that the engagement reflects continued coordination between Iloilo and national government agencies.