Bulacan boosts village anti-drug abuse body

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- The provincial government of Bulacan has trained members of its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) on how to address issues on illegal drugs.

In a forum dubbed “Barangay Dialogue Year II: Drug Clearing”, which was held at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center Friday, some 1,700 BADACs and barangay officials from 569 villages in the province were reoriented on their roles in the barangay drug-clearing operations.

As part of the nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign, the activity was held in partnership with the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police

(PNP).

Police Col. Chito G. Bersaluna, director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, said the purpose of the program is to help each barangay to be drug-cleared.

“We now have 106 barangays cleared. Hopefully, before the end of the year, the Bulacan police, together with our PDEA counterpart, it will be doubled. We won’t stop until we get it. It is a big challenge but it is worth it,” Bersaluna said.

Gov. Daniel Fernando also cited the important role of BADAC members in implementing first-hand knowledge that they acquired during the forum.

“The barangay is the first line of defense. You are the multipliers of our national antidrug campaign that begins at the grassroots level. We cannot succeed if we do not address the problem of illegal drugs in our area,” he said.

Sharon Ominga, provincial director of PDEA-Bulacan, assured the BADAC members that they will help them implement the future programs of their agency against illegal drugs.

“I’m glad that our BADACs are so supportive. Hopefully, with those we have lectured, they will keep in mind that this is the right thing to do. We are here with the PNP to assist with whatever they plan to do in their village,” Ominga said.

Zenaida Magpayo, a village official from Barangay Caliligawan, City of Malolos, lauded the goal of the program and vowed to do her part as well.

DR. RAFAELITA “Fita” M. Aldaba (facing camera), of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), commends the organizers and participants of the “Pitch” event in her closing remarks, held at QBO, Makati City. The event aims to strengthen linkages between the Philippines and Japan startup ecosystems. PNA photo by Ben Briones