MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) defended the sharp rise in the proposed budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), saying the funds will directly support development in barangays cleared of insurgency.

During Monday’s budget deliberations, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the proposed ₱8.08 billion allocation for 2026 represents a 314% increase from the ₱1.95 billion approved in 2025. Each barangay officially declared free of communist influence is recommended to receive ₱10 million for development initiatives.

Remulla explained that previous NTF-ELCAC budgets had been “drastically cut down to half or around one-third of the budget.” He noted that although ₱7.8 billion was proposed in the 2025 National Expenditure Program, it was reduced to ₱1.95 billion under the General Appropriations Act. “This year, the full allocation is requested to be given to those certified as clear or have been cleared of communist insurgency,” he said.

He also clarified the purpose of the funds: “It is a reward for their performance and their cooperation [to] eliminate the insurgencies in their barangays. It goes straight to them and not to the other layers of government.”

DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said 780 barangays are set to benefit from the 2025 allocation. He added that community consultations determined the priority needs funded by the SBD fund.

To ensure accountability, Iringan said LGUs must follow Department of Budget and Management guidelines, with civil society organizations monitoring project implementation.