Abalos tells barangay execs: Do your job in the fight vs illegal drugs, crime
By Chito Chavez
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. called on barangay officials to enhance measures that will ensure public order and further intensify the country’s fight against illegal drugs.
He noted that the DILG will make concerted efforts to confer with the barangay leaders as the government aims to address the country’s illegal drug woes and other forms of lawlessness.
Recently, Abalos graced the National Barangay Congress in Pasay City where he reiterated the valuable support of the community leaders is of prime importance in minimizing the crime incidents in the country.
In the dialogue with the community leaders, Abalos insisted that the barangays “should help the Philippine National Police (PNP) in maintaining public order in their communities.’’
He reminded the barangay officials to make use of the barangay tanods (village security personnel) ‘to act as augmentation to the police force.’
"As the frontliners in government service, our barangay officials are in a very strategic position to help our police force in securing our kababayans (countrymen). Our barangay tanods or Bantay Bayan serve as force multipliers of our uniformed personnel in ensuring peace and order and combating illegal drugs," Abalos said.
As the basic unit of government, Abalos maintained that it is the barangay officials' duty to protect the welfare of the public, adding that the local government is mandated to enforce existing national laws.
Likewise, Abalos said anew to operationalize and strengthen the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) which render assistance to the law enforcement agencies in the eradication of illegal drugs.
Laudable Covid-19 response
In the event, Abalos also commended the barangay officials for playing a critical role in the government's Covid-19 response.
He noted that at the height of the pandemic, it was the barangay officials who were at the frontlines of government response, leading the distribution of relief packs and other ayuda, and ensuring the people's compliance with the minimum public health standards.