Lawsuits await
Brgy chiefs told to activate Badac or else
DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin Diño said they will sue barangay officials who fail to activate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac) in their respective areas and ensure that anti-drug abuse programs are implemented.
The undersecretary issued the statement in response to claims that some Badacs are not functioning well and some barangay officials are even involved in illegal drug trade. He said the DILG is already monitoring all barangays.
Diño, who attended the Launching of the Bayan for Bong Go (B4BG) Movement on Monday at Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City, said if the barangay officials refuse and/or fail to activate and ensure their Badacs, they will face administrative charges from the DILG. He added that officials are expected to do their job well.
"The barangay officials, as the forefronts, should prove their commitment to their respective communities and get rid of drugs by activating the Badac otherwise we will file an administrative case against them," Diño said in an interview.
He added that barangay captains should lead the fight against illegal drugs and ensure there is a junction of efforts among the leaders to implement and enforce the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the country in the community level.
The role of the Badac is to plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in barangays and to organize and orient auxiliary teams on their roles and functions and in formulating plan of action.
Badacs are also expected to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions such as the police and the municipal or city government in implementing program/project on drug abuse prevention in the barangay level, according to DILG.
It should also refer suspected drug pushers and/or users to the city or municipal agencies and/or other institutions for counseling and/or rehabilitation. It should also conduct an information and education campaign against illegal drugs.
The Badac is composed of the barangay chairperson, and the Sangguniang Barangay member who is the chair of the committee on peace and order as vice chairperson.