BAGUIO CITY HOSTS NATIONAL SECURITY ROADSHOW PROMOTING A PEACEFUL, AND SECURE PH

November 1, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The National Security Council (NSC) with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) led the “Pambansang Seguridad Tungo sa Pag-Unlad: A Townhall Meeting” as part of the Bagong Pilipinas National Security Roadshow in Baguio City on October 23, 2024. Hundreds of stakeholders from across the Cordillera region such as local chief executives and officials from the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays, as well as heads and representatives of national line and law enforcement agencies, gathered at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center for the kickoff of the nationwide roadshow.

The Bagong Pilipinas Roadshow aims to advocate for the National Security Policy 2023-2028 and the National
Security Strategy 2024. Incorporating the Bagong Pilipinas governance brand, it also seeks to promote a free,
peaceful, and secure Philippines. NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya emphasized that President
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the NSC to engage Filipinos at the grassroots, presenting and discussing key national
security issues including the West Philippine Sea and the successes of the National Task Force on Ending Local
Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

This initiative seeks to raise awareness, engage all sectors, and mobilize support for government efforts to address
internal threats and safeguard territorial integrity. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong affirmed Baguio City’s support in pushing the country’s rights and sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea and called for a
united front, a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in ensuring that the Philippine sovereignty,
territory, and borders will be preserved for future generations of Filipinos.

“One thing that probably impacts our enthusiasm, our passion to fight for our sovereignty is actually very internal – we doubt ourselves and we cannot aside our differences and that is actually dividing us. Sana baguhin na natin itong mindset na ito, dahil ang ipinaglalaban natin dito is not only securing our resources, it is not only securing our borders, but it is ensuring that it is intact for our future generations,”Magalong said in his message.

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, represented by NSC Deputy Director General Marlo Guloy, delivered the
keynote address which outlined the importance of whole-of-society support in the government’s advocacy in
pushing for unity, lasting peace, and progressive Bagong Pilipinas. “As we recognize that developments across sectors and in all facets emanate from and is interdependent with security, we develop the National Security Policy and National Security Strategy to make them more focus on the security lens and expand it from a whole of government to a truly whole of society’s strategy.

This is anchored on our belief that when we all worked in congruence with one another, with our steps and initiatives
anchored on the NSP, we are more equipped, resilient, and effective in forwarding our National Security agenda,” Año said in his message. Philippine Information Agency Director General Katherine De Castro gave a message of
support affirming that the PIA with its information officers and communicators, support in strengthening the advocacy in pushing for well-informed Filipinos fostering a culture of peace, national security, and sustainable development.

She also highlighted that the forum is both timely and significant as it calls on each Filipino to reflect on their collective roles in fostering peace and security in the communities. “We, as information officers and communicators, are at the forefront of creating awareness and understanding of the government’s peace initiatives – from ending local armed conflict to promoting localized peace engagements and transformation programs, and advocating for our country’s maritime rights and responsibilities.

Our goal goes beyond merely informing. We are here to engage, inspire, and call on all of you to be active partners in amplifying these efforts. Together, we can transform lives and communities, driving home the message that peace and security are the foundation of a thriving, progressive nation,” De Castro said. Key presenters included Philippine Coast Guard Special Staff for the West Philippine Sea, Comm. Jay Tristan Tarriela, who delivered a talk titled “The Philippines’ Transparency Initiatives in the West Philippine Sea,” and NSC Assistant Director General Cornelio Valencia, who provided national security perspectives on the West Philippine Sea.

DILG Assistant Secretary Lilian De Leon also shared the “Bayanihang Adhikain, Bayaning Aksyon para sa Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas” initiative. NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. presented “Winning the Peace through NTF-ELCAC,” highlighting achievements in the whole of nation campaign approach in combating insurgency and terrorism. Office of the Presidential Assistant in Promoting Reconciliation and Unity Undersecretary Cesar Yano discussed embedding peace, reconciliation, and unity across the nation. Department of Agriculture Deputy Executive Director Annray Rivera highlighted efforts to strengthen food security for national stability.

(JDP/RMC-PIA CAR)