“Through the NTF-ELCAC, we invested in farm-to-market roads, school building, water and sanitation (areas), health stations, and livelihood.”

—President Rodrigo Duterte in his 6th State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “Matapat” Battalion (53IB) continues to converge and collaborate with the Provincial and Municipal Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), local government units, national government agencies, and non-government organizations to ensure that basic government services such as health, education, and job opportunities reach our brothers and sisters in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).