Congresswoman Lucy Torres-Gomez opposed calls to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) following red-tagging of organizers of community pantries. Instead, she urged the public to focus on a wider perspective.
“Let us not forget that we are all in the same boat,” said Torres-Gomez. She said there is a need to support community pantries while at the same time continue the successful programs of NTF-ELCAC to fight insurgency and achieve peace.
Torres-Gomez added “it does not have to be one or the other. We can support community pantries, at the same time continue our successful programs towards peace via the NTF-ELCAC.”
Since last month, community pantries have been setup in various areas nationwide. Since lockdowns hit, the unemployment rate of the Philippines rose to 8.8% in February 2021 according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). With over 4.2 million unemployed, Filipinos find it hard to meet days’ end. Community pantries support daily sustenance of many families.
However, Torres-Gomez was quick to point out that government officials should be held accountable for their actions and statements but encouraged everyone to take rational actions that will not jeopardize localized programs to end insurgency.
A call to defund the NTF-ELCAC rolled in social media last month. Senator Joel Villanueva’s Tweet last April 21 stated, “Oh my! We should move to defund NTF-ELCAC in the next budget. Sayang lang pera ng taong bayan.” (The money of the people is going to waste.)
