20 barangays rewarded for anti-drug efforts
The city government has recognized and given incentives to the 20 best performing barangays in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in Barangay Topland was named this year’s top performing BADAC with a cash prize of P20,000. Meanwhile, Barangay Morales finished in 2nd place with a cash prize of P15,000, followed by Barangay Zone IV in 3rd Place with a cash prize of P 10,000.
The city government, through the Office for City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC), gave monetary incentives to the 17 barangays identified based on the performance of their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC). The incentives were meant to recognize the barangays’ efforts.
Among the parameters taken into account in recognizing the barangays were whether they were already declared as drug-cleared or still in the application phase, which is the top consideration, and the realization of activities in the barangay, audit result of surrenderers, and implementation of Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program.
On the other hand, twenty (20) barangays in the City of Koronadal retained their drug-cleared status after rigorous validation in June 2021 by the Region XII Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) oversight committee.
The decision was based on the results of the agency’s revalidation using the new parameters, which found that local anti-drug initiatives at the barangay level were being effectively implemented. The oversight committee is co-chaired by PDEA and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, includes the Department of Health and Philippine National Police.
Assessment parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board include “non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug-dependent, pusher, user; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; the existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information programs; and the existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desks”.
Aside from the validation of drug-cleared status, Barangay Assumption was vetted for being unaffected barangay and also has to maintain its drug-free status.