End Local Communist Armed Conflict (Elcac) Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -7 A11:55 First Regular Session SENATE S. No. — Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WHOLE-OF-NATION APPROACH IN ATTAINING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE, CREATING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE We have heard it said time and again: our pursuit of peace is not simpiy a military issue, or even simply a security issue. It is a complex challenge that requires a complex, nuanced solution. Peace requires an inclusive, development-oriented, and people-centered strategy that engages all sectors of society. In 2018, the issuance of Executive Order No. 70 by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte laid down the groundwork for such a strategy through the Whole-of-Nation Approach to end local communist armed conflict. The creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) under EO 70 marked a significant shift from isolated and fragmented responses to armed conflict, toward a synchronized, muiti-agency convergence strategy. It brought together national government agencies, iocal government units, civil society, and the private sector to work in unison in delivering basic services, promoting good governance, addressing root causes of insurgency, and facilitating peaceful reintegration. The results of the NTF-ELCAC-such as the implementation of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) have led to a grassroots-model of development. From

2021 (which was the beginning of the BDP) to 2024, a total of 4,051 barangays have been declared insurgency-free. In the process, these barangays experience for themselves the transformative impact of this approach. Roads, water systems, school buildings, health stations, and livelihood programs now reach areas once neglected due to armed threats. However, the long-term success of the Whole-of-Nation Approach depends on the establishment of a permanent institutional framework. This bill therefore seeks to codify the strategy by creating a National Council to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, tasked with harmonizing peace efforts and implementing a national peace framework. It ensures continuity beyond political administrations and shields the program from arbitrary budgetary or policy reversals. In a time when fragmentation, disinformation, and historical grievances persist, this measure stands for unified governance and inclusive development. Peace must not be episodic— it must be embedded in the structures of the State. Hence, the swift passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RONALD "BATOS DELA ROSA 1 Retrieved from: https://www.ntfelcac.gov.ph/bdp, retrieved on: 24 June 2025.

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -7 A11:55 First Regular Session SENATE N° S. No. — Introduced by Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WHOLE-OF-NATION APPROACH IN ATTAINING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE, CREATING THE NATIONAL COUNCIL TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "ELCAC Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote a just and

dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation. The State recognizes that internal socio-political stability rests upon ending all armed threats in the country and healing the rifts that divide the nation by promoting participatory governance, synergy of government development efforts, and enhancing 7 the participation and responsibilities of local government units. The State shall pursue the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace through intensified development 9 and other peace-building initiatives in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities. Towards this end, the State shall implement an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the Whole-of-Nation approach to aid in the realization of the collective aspiration of the Filipino people.

Sec. 3. Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach. - The Whole-of-Nation

approach is hereby institutionalized as a government policy for the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace. The government shall prioritize and harmonize the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas

and vulnerable communities, facilitate societal inclusivity, and ensure active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country's peace agenda.

Sec. 4. Creation of the National Council to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

- There is hereby created a National Council to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, hereinafter referred to as the Council, which shall be the chief implementor of this Act. The Council shall be headed by the President or his designated representative, and the following as members: a. Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary; b. Department of Justice Secretary; c. Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary; d. Department of Budget and Management Secretary; e. Department of Finance Secretary; f. Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary; g. Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary; h. Department of Education Secretary; i. National Economic and Development Authority Director General; j. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Director General; k. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General; I. Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity; m. Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines; n. Director General, Philippine National Police; o. Chairperson, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; p. Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office; and q. Two (2) Representatives from the private sector. Except for the private sector representatives, the members may designate an alternate, with a rank not lower than an Assistant Secretary, to represent them. The Private Sector Representatives, with a term one (1) year each, shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the National Council.

Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. - The National Council shall have the following

powers and functions:

a. Formulate and implement in coordination with relevant national government agencies, LGUs, the civil society and other stakeholders, a Whole-of-Nation approach-driven National Peace Framework (Framework); b. Ensure inter-agency convergence in the implementation of the Framework in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities; c. Enlist the assistance of any department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentality of the government. Including LGUs, government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCS), in accordance with their respective mandates, in the implementation of the Framework; d. Evaluate, define, modify or integrate policies, programs and activities in the contained in the Framework; e. Organize inter-agency and multi-sectoral clusters, councils, committees and groups in national, regional and local leveis, or modify existing ones, whenever necessary, to fulfill its mandates; f. Develop strategic communication, advocacy, and peace constituency plains in case of ceasefire, as well capacity-building measures, to enable local chief executives and local peace bodies to engage and facilitate local peace engagements or negotiations and interventions; g. Review the mandates and functions of offices undertaking peace efforts to avoid duplication of functions and programs, and submit its recommendations to the President for approval; h. As may be necessary, issue supplemental guidelines, protocols or policies in furtherance of this Order; i. Recommend to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process projects and conflict-affected areas where the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Program may be implemented, subject to the provisions of the General Appropriations Act; j. Perform such other duties and functions as the President may direct.

Sec. 6. The National Peace Framework. - The National Peace Framework,

herein referred to as Framework, shall contain principles, policies, plans, and programs that will bring inclusive and sustainable peace, and address the root causes of

insurgency, internal unrest and tension, as well as other armed conflicts and threats in identified areas. The Framework shall be responsive to local needs and sensitive to realities on the ground. To this end, the Framework shall include a mechanism for localized peace engagements or negotiations and interventions that are totally orchestrated, directed and supervised, while being locally implemented.

Sec. 7. Convergence. - All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or

instrumentalities of the government, including GOCCs and SUCs, are hereby directed to render the necessary support to the National Council. The private sector, non-government organizations and other stakeholders are encouraged to participate in all peace-building programs, plans and activities, in the implementation of the Framework.

Sec. 8. Secretariat. - The National Council shall be assisted by a Secretariat,

headed by an Executive Director, who shall be appointed by the President with the rank of an Undersecretary. The Executive Director shall submit an organizational and staffing pattern of the Council Secretariat to the DBM, within two (2) months from his/her appointment. Pending the approval of the organizational and staffing pattern, the Executive Director shall be assisted by personnel from the member-agencies of the Council under secondment, detail or other appropriate arrangement.

Sec. 9. Functions of the Secretariat - The Secretariat shall have the following

functions: a. Provide technical and effective administrative support and assistance to the National Council In the performance of its tasks, coordinate with relevant agencies on the status; of its plans and programs, and provide update to the National Council on the implementation of the Framework; b. Ensure that all policies, directives, plans and programs, formulated by the National Council are faithfully carried out; and c. Perform such other functions as may be directed by the National Council.

Sec. 10. Funding. - The initial funding requirements for the implementation of

this Act shall be charged against existing appropriations of the member-agencies of the National Council and such other appropriate funding sources as the DBM may identify, and when necessary, the Contingent Fund, subject to relevant laws, rules and

regulations. Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The National Task Force to

End Local Armed Conflict Council shall within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 12. Sunset Clause. - The Council shall be rendered functus officio upon

the accomplishment of the purposes for which it was created or unless sooner dissolved by the President.

Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations

and executive orders contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 15 modified accordingly.

Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,