TACLOBAN CITY: The city government of Catbalogan in Samar has been granted 18 sub-projects funded by the Local Government Support Fund - Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP). These projects aim to promote peace in areas previously influenced by the New People's Army (NPA). According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of the Interior and Local Government Samar provincial director, each project is allocated a PHP6.6 million budget for implementation in 11 villages. The initiatives, including road construction, renewable electrification, health stations, and school buildings, were identified by residents through the Retooled Community Support Program earlier this year. Batulan emphasized the LGSF-SBDP's commitment to conflict resolution, food security, and enhancing essential services such as healthcare and education. These projects, which began on December 27, are expected to be completed in 2024. They are part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), established under Executive Order 70 on December 4, 2018, to foster development in former conflict-prone communities using a whole-of-nation approach.