Weeks following their assumption to office, DILG Pampanga gathered the new set of Punong Barangays, selected Sangguniang barangay members and barangay secretaries to apprise them on their roles as frontliners and partners in the government’s crusade against illegal drugs through the conduct of the SICAP-BADAC training via online and onsite modalities on December 13, 2023. The onsite activity was held at the DepEd Schools Division Building City Civic Center, Brgy. San Isidro, CSFP.
The seminar is part of DILG’s concerted efforts with other national government agencies in sustaining the anti-drug crusade in the country. Under President Marcos’ administration, the campaign against illegal drugs takes on a new approach under the banner program Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA), which is focused on “community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug proliferation and dependence.
In her message, PD Myra Soriano stressed the importance of BADACs in the implementation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022 on the ground.
“According to the recent results of the BSKE, more than 50% of our Punong Barangays are newly elected. Napakagandang oportunidad ng aktibidad na ito para kayo ay ma-onboard sa inyong mga tungkulin, kasama na jan bilang pininuo at miyembro ng BADAC. Gamitin natin ang pagkakataong ito para matuto at maintindihan ang ating papel pagdating sa pagsugpo sa iligal na droga sa ating bansa. Kayo ang nakakaalam sa sitwasyon sa inyong barangay, sa inyong mga ka-barangay. Gamitin ninyo ang kaalaman na ito upang makipagtulungan sa kapulisan at iba’t-ibang ahensya para maging matagumpay ay kampanya ng ating pamahalaan kontra droga,” said PD Soriano.
Among those that provided technical assistance are partners PDEA, PNP, and DOH, which presented topics on Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program, Strengthening Preventive Drug Education, Sustaining the Implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP)Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations through Reinforcement and Education (ADORE).
CSFP Mayor Vilma Caluag also lent her support to the activity and addressed participants with a challenge to sustain and intensify the drug-clearing efforts in the city’s barangays.
The activity is the first of many capacity development interventions of the Department pipelined for the new set of barangay officials designed to capacitate them on various areas of governance to ensure efficient delivery of public services and effective discharge of their duties.
