MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 83, May 02, 2025 ]
ADOPTING THE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR UNITY, PEACE, AND DEVELOPMENT 2025-2028, AND DIRECTING THE IMPLEMENTATION THEREOF
WHEREAS, Section 5, Article II of the Constitution provides that the maintenance of peace and order, protection of life, liberty and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy;
WHEREAS, Section 9, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, rising standard of living, and improved quality of life for all;
WHEREAS, Executive Order (EO) No. 70 (s. 2018) created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to ensure a whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency and local communist armed conflict in the pursuit of the country's peace agenda;
WHEREAS, under EO No. 70, the NTF-ELCAC is mandated to, among others, formulate and implement a National Peace Framework which shall contain principles, policies, and plans that aim to address the root causes of insurgency and armed conflict, and include mechanisms for localized peace interventions;
WHEREAS, taking into account the evolving security and peace environment in the country, the NTF-ELCAC, in coordination with relevant government agencies and the private sector, facilitated the crafting of the National action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025-2028, which outlines specific action plans and strategies to further operationalize the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the root causes of insurgency and local armed conflict and attaining inclusive and sustainable people in the country;
WHEREAS, the NAP-UPD 2025-2028 is anchored on the National Security Policy 2023-2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 which underscore the Administration's thrust to pursue an integrated, transparent, people-centered, and human rights-based peace and security policy;
NOW, THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered:
The NAP-UPD 2025-2028, which is annexed to this Circular, is hereby adopted as the nation's strategic blueprint to end the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front insurgency and armed conflict, and attain inclusive and sustainable peace.
The NTF-ELCAC, consistent with its mandate, shall lead the implementation of the NAP-UPD 2025-2028. For this purpose, the NTF-ELCAC shall perform the following duties and functions, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations:
a. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programs, activities, and projects under the NAP-UPD 2025-2028, and submit annual reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, regarding the implementation thereof;
b. Study and as may be necessary, recommend measures that will further enable and support the attainment of the objectives of the NAP-UPD 2025-2028, including, among others, strengthening of existing agency monitoring mechanisms and/or creation of Project Management and Development Officers at the national level and Unity, Peace, and Development Centers at the local level, as well as the establishment of an Overseas Coordinating Committee, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations, to oversee peace and development initiatives; and
c. Engage the private sector, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders for monitoring and feedback with regard to the implementation of the NAP-UPD.ℒαwρhi৷
In accordance with their respective mandates, all departments, agencies, bureaus, and offices of the National Government, including state universities and colleges and government-owned or -controlled corporations are hereby directed, and all LGUs and the private sector are hereby encouraged to support the implementation of the NAP-UPD 2025-2028, as well as the programs, activities, and projects specified therein.
The funding requirements for the implementation of this Circular shall be charged against the existing appropriations of concerned govenrment agencies and LGUs, subject to applications laws, rules, and regulations.
This Circular shall take effect immediately.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this, 2nd day of May, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Five.
By authority of the President:
(Sgd.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary
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