Malaca±ang: The Philippine government has officially launched a comprehensive strategy aimed at ending insurgency and fostering sustainable peace through the issuance of Memorandum Circular (MC) 83, which mandates the adoption of the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025-2028. This plan is set to serve as a strategic framework for the nation’s peace and development efforts over the next few years.
According to Philippines News Agency, MC 83 was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 2. The memorandum outlines specific action plans and strategies designed to operationalize a whole-of-nation approach to address the root causes of insurgency and local armed conflict, with a focus on achieving inclusive and sustainable peace across the country.
The NAP-UPD 2025-2028 is based on the National Security Policy 2023-2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. These documents emphasize the administration’s commitment to pursuing an integrated, transparent, people-centered, and human rights-based peace and security policy. Under MC 83, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is tasked with leading the implementation of the NAP-UPD.
The NTF-ELCAC will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the programs, activities, and projects outlined in the NAP-UPD 2025-2028. They are required to submit annual reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, detailing the progress of the action plan’s implementation. Additionally, the task force is instructed to study and suggest measures that could further support the objectives of the NAP-UPD.
The memorandum calls for the strengthening of existing agency monitoring mechanisms and the establishment of national project management and development offices, local unity, peace and development centers, and an Overseas Coordinating Committee. These bodies will oversee various peace and development initiatives.
Under the directive, all government departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices, including state universities and colleges and government-owned or -controlled corporations, are mandated to support the implementation of the NAP-UPD 2025-2028. Local government units and the private sector are encouraged to participate as well. The NTF-ELCAC is also tasked with engaging the private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in monitoring and providing feedback on the plan’s implementation.
The funding for the implementation of MC 83 will be sourced from the existing budgets of the concerned government agencies and local government units, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The memorandum, which was made public on Wednesday, is effective immediately.
