Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel is pushing for a cut in the proposed P7.8 billion budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for 2025, citing the task force’s low fund utilization this year. During a plenary discussion on Monday, Manuel pointed out that the NTF-ELCAC has yet to disburse its P2.2 billion allocation for the Barangay Development Program (BDP) in 2024, questioning the justification for a significantly larger budget next year.
Manuel argued that the NTF-ELCAC has made “zero accomplishments” in its BDP implementation this year, which makes its request for nearly quadruple the budget unjustified. He suggested that the 2025 funding should be reconsidered, especially with ongoing budget discussions in Congress.
House Appropriations Committee senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo confirmed Manuel’s observations, stating that 692 BDP projects are still in the pre-procurement stage, despite nearly all of NTF-ELCAC’s 2024 budget being released. She acknowledged the slow pace of project implementation, with only 173 projects under procurement and 20 currently ongoing.
Manuel warned that continued support for NTF-ELCAC’s large budget could allow it to become an unchecked “living monster” under the current administration, given its lack of progress in utilizing funds.