JRTF-ELCAC XI adopts Provincial Transformation Program Plans of Davao Provinces

October 5, 2025

DAVAO CITY — The Joint Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (JRTF-ELCAC) Region XI has officially adopted the Provincial Transformation Program Plans of the four Davao Provinces, solidifying the region's shift from military-centric operations to a sustained, civilian-led development and peacebuilding approach.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region XI, Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, who chairs the JRTF-ELCAC XI, stressed the importance of institutionalizing these localized Transformation Program plans.

“This gathering serves as an important platform to keep track of our collective efforts across clusters and to monitor the continuing implementation of the transformation program plans in the provinces of the Davao region. It is through this regular engagement that we ensure our initiatives remain aligned, responsive, and geared toward the long-term goals of peace, security, and development,” Magno said in his speech during the JRTF-ELCAC XI 3rd Quarter Full Council Meeting held on 03 October 2025, at the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Office, this city.

The adoption of the provincial-level Transformation Program Plans signifies the devolution of peace and development initiatives. This is to ensure that strategies are localized to address the peace and security issues, and socio-economic issues of each provincial local government unit of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Of the five Davao provinces, only Davao del Sur was not able to present their Transformation Program Plan despite the invitation by the JRTF-ELCAC XI.

Transformation Program Plan as NAP-UPD Implementation Plan

Guided by the NTF-ELCAC’s Memorandum, the Transformation Program Plan serves as the core implementation plan of the national task force’s NAP-UPD. The TP Plan becomes an important peace framework for preventing the recovery of the CPP-NPA and addressing the transformation needs of former rebels, their families, and communities.

The JRTF-ELCAC XI’s move is to align with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) recalibrated roadmap under the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025-2028, with the five provinces’ Provincial Transformation Program Plans emphasize social transformation, healing, and reconciliation after achieving an insurgency-free status for the region in late 2022.

Among the major outcomes of the approved Provincial Transformation Program Plans are the localized implementation and sustainability of the Transformation Program by provincial local government units (PLGUs), the institutionalization of sectoral and community-based peacebuilding efforts, and the successful undertaking of healing and reconciliation interventions in conflict-affected and cleared barangays.

Addressing Root-Causes of Conflict through TP Plans

The provincial plans are built on the four key components of the Transformation Program: security, confidence-building measures, healing and reconciliation, and socio-economic interventions. They are expected to focus heavily on the delivery of basic services, the implementation of crucial infrastructure projects in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), and bolstering livelihood programs and legal support for the former members of the CPP-NPA-NDFP, their families, and other vulnerable communities.

Apart from these components, the adopted programs will strengthen the region's commitment to protecting vulnerable sectors, particularly Indigenous Peoples (IPs), women, youth, and children, from exploitation and recruitment by communist groups.

Meanwhile, the JRTF-ELCAC XI will monitor and evaluate the implementation of these plans across all clusters, ensuring that resources are strategically deployed to maintain stability and accelerate equitable development across the region.

“Through these concerted efforts, Region XI continues to exemplify the government’s vision of a peaceful and shared progressive Mindanao, anchored on unity, partnership, and lasting reconciliation,” Magno said.