BAGUIO CITY—Fifty-four anti-drug abuse councils (ADACs) in Cordillera region were recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here as best performing ADACs during the Awarding of Best Performing Local Government Units cum Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan Caravan held in this mountain resort city.

In a message delivered by Bureau of Local Government Supervision Officer-In-Charge Director Debie Torres, DILG Secretary Benjamin Benhur Abalos Jr. said the LGUs’ contributions helped maintain peace and order in the country.

"Your significant contribution and outstanding performance, especially our committed local chief executives, has helped the nation maintain peace and security by keeping illegal drugs at bay protecting our vulnerable communities. We are reminded that everyone contributes to the success of our anti-illegal drug campaign," he said.

Adding, “I am delighted to know that in the Cordillera Administrative Region, all Anti-Drug Abuse Councils achieved the high to moderate functional standing in the last audit. Ibig sabihin po nito, wala pong ADAC mula sa CAR na bumagsak sa ADAC Audit at kaunting push na lang po para maging highly functional ang lahat ng ADACs sa CAR,” he said.

He also underscored that to achieve that, it is crucial to focus working on the following indicators that garnered low scores during the audit which includes strengthening the barangay drug clearing efforts and community-based drug rehabilitation program and being innovative by creating possible partnerships with local organizations and even other LGUs that will be both beneficial to their respective localities.

He also mentioned that he hopes that by 2024, CAR will have 100% Highly Functional ADACs.

Meanwhile, DILG CAR Regional Director Araceli San Jose noted that  that the country has logged over 300,000 documented drug-related cases and arrests in recent years.

“We must take a stand to end our ongoing problem with illegal drugs - but we must act together, not alone. Our campaign must be complemented with concrete actions translated into the effective implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of our anti-drug abuse PPAs through our Local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils or the ADACs,” she said.

ADACs play a critical role in harmonizing all the efforts at the local level to ensure that laws, programs, and activities are effectively implemented from the barangays up to the provincial level. They serve as counterparts in carrying out the government’s mandates, and a shared vision of a healthy and drug-free community.

Strengthening BIDA Initiatives

RD San Jose has urged DILG personnel, partner agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs) and academe to intensify their efforts in combating illegal drugs and in BIDA initiatives. "Our actions in the fight against illegal drugs must always be guided by the highest moral principles, with respect for human life and dignity," she said.

BIDA program is an intensified and more holistic campaign against illegal drugs to reduce drug demand in the communities underscoring the continued intensity of efforts of  Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other agencies in the war against drugs within the framework of the law, with respect for human rights, and complemented by rehabilitation and socioeconomic development.

Recognitions

Meanwhile, the DILG Cordillera recognized 11 municipalities who are  ADAC national awardees that garnered 100 points during the 2021 National ADAC Performance Audit and the ADAC Awarding Assessment.

At the same event, 36 and one city Regional ADAC awardees were also recognized for their exemplary efforts in supplementing the national government's anti-illegal drug campaign, garnering high functional adjectival ratings (85-100 points) and passing the awarding assessment.

Fifteen municipal anti-drug abuse councils were also given recognition in view of their exemplary efforts and performance in achieving a 100% High Functional Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in the 2022 BADAC Functionality Assessment.

The Department recognized the Municipality of Tinoc, Ifugao for being the only LGU in CAR declared as drug-cleared municipality as of December 31, 2022.

Also, 23 LGUs were also recognized for passing the 2021 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).The Department also recognized the Municipal Government of Kibungan for passing the 2019 CFLGA.

CFLGA is an audit that measures LGUs’ performance in the delivery of services that promote the welfare of children.

Innovation

The Department recognized  Baguio City for bagging three first place awards in the 2021 Digital Governance Awards which give recognition to their digital initiatives: Baguio Inoculation Digital Application (BIDA) COVID-19 response program, the Electronic Budgeting, Procurement, Inventory and Monitoring System (eBPIMS) internal process and the Docutracker (LGU empowerment) system.

In 2020, the city government placed third in the “Best in COVID-19 response” category for its COVID tracing system which comprises of an aggregate surveillance tracker, support package as well as an automated analytics device and was finalist in three e-GOV categories: the Baguio Visitor Information and Travel Assistance (V.I.S.I.T.A) for the Best in Customer Empowerment (G2C) Award which uses ICT solutions in engaging the public and in using electronic facilities and channels towards providing improved, timely and relevant delivery of public services.

Empowerment and Public Service Delivery

The City and Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs), Provincial and Highly-Urbanized City (HUC) offices were also lauded for sharing their invaluable time, knowledge, inputs, and efforts that helped their LGUs improve in the delivery of quality, efficient and effective public service most especially in implementing initiatives to combat illegal drugs. (PMTG-DILG-CAR)