14 Northern Mindanao LGUs awarded for good performance vs illegal drugs
By Chito Chavez
Fourteen local government units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao were cited for their exemplary performances in enforcing the national government’s anti-illegal drug campaign, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
During the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Awards held recently at the Manila Hotel, the region’s LGU awardees include the province of Camiguin; Catarman, Camiguin; Guinsiliban, Camiguin; Sagay, Camiguin; Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; · Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte; Magsaysay, Lanao del Norte; Matungao, Lanao del Norte; Nunungan, Lanao del Norte; Sapad, Lanao del Norte; Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte; Tangcal, Lanao del Norte and Concepcion, Misamis Occidental.
“The intensity (anti-drug campaign) will be the same as that of the previous administration. But this time around, sisiguraduhin namin na walang babaril sa likod namin, wala kaming kabaro sa PNP (Philippine National Police) ((we will make sure that, no one will shoot us at our backs, not even the PNP),’’ DILG Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. said.
Abalos noted that all the 14 LGUs garnered a score of 100 functionality points during the conduct of 2021 ADAC Performance Audit.
The DILG Region 10 has reiterated its support to the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program of the national government.
DILG 10 Regional Director Wilhelm M. Suyko called on the public to be BIDA advocates against illegal drugs as he urged them to continue providing support to the program.
“The war on drugs is not yet over. That is why we are all here today to continue on manifesting our full strong support in our campaign against illegal drugs,’’ Suyko said.
The DILG Region 10 Office said that approximately 1,900 participants from all over Northern Mindanao actively showed strong support to the government’s BIDA program.
“BIDA continues to promote a whole-of-nation approach in advocating and helping the government end the country’s illegal drug problem. It puts a premium on drug
demand reduction and rehabilitation in the communities and underscores the role
of drug enforcement agencies and other concerned government offices,’’ the DILG Region 10 Office continued. (Chito A. Chavez).