THE government’s determined nationwide campaign against illegal drugs will be the top agenda of barangays during their first Barangay Assembly Day under the Duterte administration on Oct. 9.
Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said since the campaign against illegal drugs is one of the top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte, barangay officials should discuss with their constituents how they can
help eradicate the pervasive social menace.
“Barangays are the first line of defense to lead the fight against illegal drugs. Communities are more familiar of the peace and order situation in their areas,” said Sueno.
The Barangay Assembly Day is mandated under the Local Government Code of 1991, wherein
“the barangay assembly shall meet twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.”
Sueno directed officials from more than 42,000 barangays to discuss their compliance with national laws and issuances such as revitalization of the Badac— the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council—and their roles in drug clearing operations.
“We call on barangays to reactivate their Badacs and do their functions consistently such as gathering, updating, and reporting all drug-related data and information in their neighborhood,” said Sueno.
“Punong barangays must declare during their Barangay Assembly Day a substantial appropriation from their annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities in accordance to the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” he added.
Village officials in the barangays, from Batanes to Tawi Tawi, are meeting for the second time this year – the first was in March — with the theme “Para sa Isang Tunay na Pagbabago, Mag-MASID at Makiisa sa Isang Maka-MASAng Asembleya.”