Almost 1,700 barangay officials in Bulacan step up against illegal drugs

CITY OF MALOLOS – In one with the nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign, almost 1,700 Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and barangay officials from the 569 barangays in Bulacan participated in the forum conducted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan dubbed as Barangay Dialogue Year II: Drug Clearing held at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here this afternoon.

The activity, which was held in partnership with the Department of the Interior Local Government, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police, discussed the topic about Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

According to Col. Chito G. Bersaluna, director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, the purpose of the program is to help each barangay to be drug-free.

“Mayroon na po tayong na-clear na 106 barangay. Sana po bago po matapos ang taon, target po namin ng mga kapulisan ng Bulacan at katuwang ang ating PDEA, na ito po ay madoble pa. Hindi po tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin ito nakakamtan. Isa itong malaking hamon pero kayang-kaya,” Bersaluna said.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando also emphasized the important role of BADAC members in implementing first-hand knowledge that they acquired during the forum.

“The barangay is the first line of defense. Kayo po ang multipliers sa ating national anti-drug campaign na magsisimula sa grassroots level. Wala tayong magiging katagumpayan kung hindi natin maiaayos ang problema ng iligal na droga sa ating nasasakupan,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, Investigation Agent Sharon I. Ominga, Provincial Officer of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency-Bulacan, assured the BADAC members that they will help them implement the future programs of their agency against the use of illegal drugs.

“Ako’y natutuwa dahil napaka supportive ng ating mga BADAC. Sana nga sa mga na-lecture natin kanina ay maitatak nila sa kanilang isip na ‘yun ‘yung dapat gawin. We are here together with the PNP to assist kung ano man ang plano nila sa barangay nila,” Ominga said.

Further, Zenaida Magpayo, a barangay official from Brgy. Caliligawan, City of Malolos, commended the goal of the program and vowed to do her part as well.

“Maganda po na nagkakaroon ang Kapitolyo ng mga ganitong pagpupulong. Alam naman po natin na napapanahon ang ganitong isyu at bilang isang opisyal sa aming barangay, responsibilidad po namin na panatilihin ang kapayapaan sa aming lugar kaya po ‘yung mga natutunan namin dito, makakaasa po kayo na ibabahagi namin sa aming mga ka-barangay,” she said.

Prior to this, Bulakenyo youth leaders all over the province also participated in the nationwide anti-illegal drug campaign last Monday during the Youth Symposium: A Campaign Against Illegal Drugs, wherein Fernando announced an upcoming project dubbed as BUCAA (Bulacan Universities Collegiate Athletic Association), which he believes will help in the promotion of anti-illegal drug use.