The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) announced Monday plans to intensify socio-economic development in Occidental Mindoro province as insurgency-hit areas achieve “stable internal peace and security” status.

The program targets a province where the influence of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has declined following military operations and reintegration programs.

The development push will address insurgency’s root causes—poverty, inequality and limited access to services—while maintaining military pressure on remaining rebel groups.

Occidental Mindoro has approximately 525,000 residents (as of 2020 census) who depend primarily on rice, corn and fisheries.

The province’s rugged terrain and economic disparities have historically made it attractive for NPA recruitment.

“Our goal is to ensure that peace translates into tangible benefits for the people,” an OPAPRU spokesperson said. “Development is the next step in securing a lasting end to conflict.”

The government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) has encouraged dozens of former rebels in the province to surrender in exchange for livelihood support, housing and education assistance.

While officials withheld specific details, the new measures are expected to focus on infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems, along with agricultural support for the farming sector.

Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano welcomed the announcement, saying it would boost connectivity and trade, particularly in remote areas.

“This is a chance to bring prosperity to our people and ensure that peace is not just a word, but a reality,” Gadiano said.

Analysts caution that despite security improvements, countryside problems remain.

Some residents cite unreliable electricity and limited healthcare as persistent issues, while the NPA maintains a presence in parts of Mindoro despite being weakened.

OPAPRU’s focus on Occidental Mindoro follows similar peace and development centers established in neighboring Oriental Mindoro last year.

The agency has committed to collaborating with local governments to customize projects based on community needs.

The communist insurgency in the Philippines, which began in 1969, is considered one of Asia’s longest-running conflicts, having claimed an estimated 40,000 lives.