The Regional Development Council-Western Visayas (RDC-6) is seeking to develop a unified approach to regional security aligned with the administration’s national security policy.

The proposed action was tackled during the joint meeting of the RDC-6, Regional Peace and Order Council-6, and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-6 held at the L’ Fisher Hotel here Thursday.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, chairperson of RDC-6, said the gathering of the three councils aimed for Western Visayas to be prepared and understand the gaps in achieving regional security.

“The questions that beg us, ‘Are we prepared?’, ‘Are we secure?’ Those questions should be on the top of our mind,” he said.

Benitez said the goal is to develop regional security that encompasses peace, food security, energy security, and other critical needs.

“We recognize that security is not just about military might or police presence, it is also ensuring our people have access to the necessities,” he added.

The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division presented the security and stability operations being carried out by the Joint Task Force Spear, along with the 301st, 302nd, and 303rd Infantry Brigades, to defeat the armed insurgency and strengthen territorial defense posture in the region.

The Department of Agriculture-6 discussed its food security and contingency measures, while the Department of Information and Communications Technology-6 gave a presentation on its mobile operation vehicle for emergency, government emergency communications system, and cybersecurity program.

The Office of the Civil Defense-6 tackled the preparation of local government unit and agency public service continuity plans to avoid disruption in the delivery of their respective services amid crisis and disasters.

Benitez also pointed out that it is “very important that we have alignment with the national security measures.”

During the meeting, Assistant Director-General for Operations Ma. Carmina Acuña of the National Security Council led the presentation of the National Security Policy (NSP) 2023-2028 and the draft National Security Strategy 2024.

“We express our gratitude to Mayor Albee Benitez for his initiative of convening this joint meeting,” she said.

The NSP 2023-2028, the Philippines’ third national security policy document, was crafted in response to modern-day challenges confronting the nation in a rapidly changing and increasingly uncertain world.

It includes the guiding principles and interests, and a set of clearly defined and articulated goals to protect and promote national security, and identify policy objectives and priority areas where the state should devote its finite resources and leverage its key strengths to optimize outcomes. (PNA)