Assessment of the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program of the Philippine Government

Abstract

Ending armed conflict is among the priorities of the government until today. One way to terminate insurgency is to address the root cause of rebellion is to eradicate poverty through Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict Program. Hence, this paper examines the status of Poverty Reduction Program in Mountain Province. It follows the qualitative research approach where rebel returnees, family members of former rebels and members of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster in Mountain Province were interviewed. Their responses were examined using thematic analysis. The study found that the Poverty Reduction Program in Mountain Province is achieving its objective to ease poverty among the constituents in the identified vulnerable communities. The initiative has supported free education for the children and given former rebels jobs and other means of support. Additionally, it gave the returnees a chance to participate in society without fear of discrimination and helped them develop a positive view of the government. This study emphasizes how feasible and reachable the program's goal of reducing poverty is. Concerns exist regarding the implementation of the program, but they are being addressed through the efforts of the local government, the agencies involved, and the assistance of the community members. Hence, this paper provides policies to make the program more holistic so as to facilitate and motivate a greater number of beneficiaries and to increase the effectiveness of frontline police officers in their struggle against insurgency by encouraging other rebels to surrender and live peacefully within the community.