The Development Administration Committee (DAC) XI convened for its 3^rd quarter CY 2021 meeting on August 27, 2021 via Zoom, which was presided by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XI Director and DAC XI Chairperson Alex C. Roldan.

During the meeting, PCol Julius C. Silagan of the Philippine National Police Regional Office (PRO) XI informed the Committee that the application and renewal for Licenses to Exercise Security Profession (LESP) of security guards can now be done online through the Online LESP portal. After signing up and filling the online application form in the portal, applicants are required to proceed to the Regional Civil Service Unit (RCSU) in their region to have their photos taken and to submit the required documents to be uploaded in the portal. Upon approval of the their LESP application or renewal, by the Supervisory Office for Security and Investigation Agencies (SOSIA) in Camp Crame, the applicant shall secure a printed Order of Payment from the RCSU and pay the application or renewal fee in any Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) branch. The printing of the LESP can now be done in the RCSUs, instead of the previous practice when all LESPs are printed in Camp Crame. PCol Silagan also informed the Committee that PRO XI is requiring all security agencies to train and assist the security guards on the online application for the LESPs.

The Committee was also presented with the updates on the campaign to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) in Davao Region. Captain Erick Wymer F. Calulot of the 10^th Infantry Division (ID) of the Philippine Army (PA) informed the Committee that the entire city of Davao, as well as the provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, were cleared of Community Terrorist Groups (CTG) based on the parameters set by the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Committee (JAPIC). Meanwhile, the remaining affected barangays are subjected to the Modified Community Support Program (MCSP) in order to be cleared of the CTG affectation.

Capt. Calulot also reported the steady decline of the CTGs’ manpower and firepower, as well as the closure of schools run by the Communist Front Organizations (CFOs). Makeshift schools accredited by the Department of Education (DepEd) were established to replace the closed CTG-affiliated schools. Troops were also deployed to protect business establishments from extortion schemes of the CTGs. This resulted in the significant reduction in the amount extorted by the CTGs from vulnerable business establishments. Capt. Calulot also presented the employed ELCAC campaign innovations such as the creation of Balik-Loob Assistance Centers, establishment of the Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay, and the organization of former rebels and Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO) members into pro-government People’s Organizations.

The Committee expressed its support to the ELCAC campaign and requested the LGUs to fast-track the release of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) remuneration and livelihood assistance to former rebels, the implementation and establishment of monitoring mechanism of projects under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) and the aggressive conduct of awareness campaign to stop extortion activities of CTGs among vulnerable business sectors.

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Pamela N. Yparraguirre, NEDA XI