By Marna Dagumboy Del Rosario/PNA
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — All Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) in the 505 villages of Pampanga were reorganized for a heightened campaign at the grassroots level.
This was announced on Friday during an anti-illegal drug summit organized by the provincial government of Pampanga.
Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and administration senatorial candidates Francis Tolentino, Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go, who served as guests during the summit, encouraged BADAC members to never rest to clear villages of prohibited drugs.
“There can be no real economic growth without a stable peace and order situation,” Tolentino said.
He reminded the BADAC that the anti-drug campaign is an effort of many people.
“It takes a village to raise a good child,” he said.
De la Rosa, former director general of the Philippine National Police, said he is running for the Senate to help President Rodrigo Duterte’s drive to make the country drug-free.
De la Rosa, also known as “Bato”, told BADAC members to “guard and protect the family” as a strategy in keeping young people away from drugs. He sang to remind the youth they are his reasons for running for public office.
Go, former special assistant to the President, arrived late for the 1 p.m. program, having visited families affected by a big fire in Orani, Bataan.
Go said he would create more Malasakit Centers to help the poor with their medical needs.
Based on a joint memorandum circular in January 2018, the BADAC now consists of the barangay captain as chair, the village councilors who head the peace and order and children and family affairs committees, the Sangguniang Kabataan chair, the chief of barangay tanod, representative of a non-government organization or faith-based group, and the area’s chief of police as adviser.
An audit of BADAC performance in 2017 showed many Pampanga BADACs have low to moderate functionality.
Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda urged various sectors to assist BADAC members that could help improve their tasks.
Governor Lilia Pineda said the anti-drugs campaign should be a continuing drive.
“Pag nagpa-easy-easy tayo, ayan na naman ang mga drug syndicates, peddlers at users. Kailangan ligtas ang baryo natin (If we take it easy, drug syndicates, peddlers and users will surface again. Our barangays should be safe),” said the outgoing governor.
