Published on: February 09, 2023
By Consuelo Alarcon
PALO, Leyte (PIA) – A total of 48 local government units in Eastern Visayas were given a distinctive recognition by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the Regional Rollout of Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program and the 2022 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Awards held Wednesday in this municipality.
The BIDA regional rollout aims to strengthen the anti-illegal drug campaign of the government. This was followed by the awarding ceremony held at the Oriental Hotel, Palo, Leyte.
The awarding was held in recognition of the unwavering support and efforts of the LGUs in complementing the national government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
No less than DILG Secretary Benjamen Abalos Jr. led the rollout of the BIDA Program.
In his message, Secretary Abalos lauded the officials in the region for being among the best leaders in the country.
“Congratulations sa winners sa ADAC kanina, biro mo, 100% cleared ang barangay nila. Palakpakan natin ang mga LGUs na ito, ang mga mayors, mga gobernador. Salamat po,” Abalos said.
As he expressed optimism in addressing the problem on illegal drugs through a whole-of-nation approach, Abalos highlighted the relevance in suppressing the supply of illegal drugs while reducing the consumer demand.
“It’s not only about supply reduction, it’s also about demand reduction that is very important. With the police, with the PDEA, NBI, habang nanghuhuli sa baba, yung 70% na drug cases we will address that. Let’s make our youths more confident and productive through our youth programs,” Abalos said.
Data showed that 7 out of 10 crimes are drug-related and more or less 30% are repeat offenders.
Abalos also said that the war on drugs under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has the same intensity as before but it will be on the basis on the oath of the public officials and in accordance with the constitution.
He also urged officials the inclusion of youth programs in their barangays as they are being targeted by those involved in illegal drug activities.
Abalos also discussed the ill effects of illegal drugs on the human body and how it destroys the brain of a person.
“The long-term effects are usually caused by progressive damage to body organs such as the liver, lungs, heart and the brain,” Abalos said.
Out of the 149 local government units in the region (comprising 6 provinces, 7 cities and 136 municipalities), 15 bagged as national awardees and 33 as regional awardees.
The 15 national awardees include the City of Ormoc in Leyte, Paranas in Samar and the municipalities of Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Tomas Oppus, San Francisco, San Ricardo, Silago and Sogod, all in Southern Leyte. The awardees garnered perfect score of 100% during the Regional ADAC Performance Audit and ADAC National Audit Team Calibration. The 15 national awardees also received P100,000 each as incentive for being top performers.
Meanwhile, the 33 regional awardees are Tacloban City, the province of Leyte including nine other LGUs, Southern Leyte and six other LGUs, five municipalities in Eastern Samar, five in Samar, four in Biliran, and one in Northern Samar.
Said LGUs garnered performance scores of 85% to 99% in the functionality audit and complied with the 2021 ADAC performance indicators.
The special event led by DILG-8 through Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe gained support from uniformed personnel led by PNP Regional Director Police Brig. General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Police Lt. Gen. Rhodel O. Sermonia, PDEA Regional Director Gil. T. Pabilona, partner government agencies, youths, students, local stakeholders and organizations.
Also in attendance during the event were Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone, Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-Delos Santos, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Ormoc City Mayor and RDC Chairperson Lucy Marie Torres Gomez, several mayors or their representatives.
The Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program of the government aims to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people and safeguard them from criminality in a manner that is within the framework of law and with respect to human rights. (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)
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