Manila: A ranking National Security Council (NSC) official on Monday announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated an increase in the funding for each village under the Barangay Development Program (BDP) to PHP7.5 million for this year. According to Philippines News Agency, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya stated that President Marcos instructed the Department of Budget and Management to allocate an additional PHP5 million to the previously designated PHP2.5 million for the BDP. This adjustment will result in an additional PHP4.32 billion sourced from the unprogrammed funds of the National Treasury. Malaya highlighted that the President was dissatisfied with the initial PHP2.5 million per barangay outlined in the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA). President Marcos believed that the original allocation would have minimal developmental impact, prompting the directive for increased funding. The BDP is the primary initiative of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), aimed at enhancing the living conditions in communities previously affected by insurgent conflicts. The program seeks to deliver essential services and socio-economic development projects to these areas, ultimately reducing local insurgent support and fostering regional stability. During the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee Meeting last Friday, Malaya noted that the President expressed his support for a proposed PHP10 million per barangay allocation in the 2025 budget, currently under Senate deliberation. President Marcos urged Congress to ensure the 2025 GAA reflects this proposed amount. Additionally, President Marcos approved the rehabilitation of the Batong Buhay - Colayo Road in Pasil, Kalinga, with funding from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU)'s "PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn" (PAMANA) program. Malaya emphasized the government's commitment to sustaining development projects in barangays cleared of Communist Party of the Phil ippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) influence, aiming to address the root causes of conflict. The new National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD), developed by the NTF-ELCAC, was also approved. This plan outlines a national peace framework based on unity, peace and security, and socio-economic development. Under this framework, the government will advocate for positive peace and programs aimed at denouncing violent extremism. Local government units will play a leading role in peacebuilding to prevent CPP-NPA-NDF operations or influence in any area.