Reluya dangles reward for 1st ‘drug-free’ brgy

CEBU, Philippines — Reelected San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya has dangled a reward during her inaugural address yesterday to the first barangay in the municipality to be declared drug-free.

According to her, San Fernando has encountered difficulties in the implementation of the intensified anti-drug program activities due to the constant reassignments of PNP chiefs in the past.

This time, however, she is hopeful that the barangays will cooperate with Police Major Lymel Pasquin, who was just recently assigned to their municipality.

“Ang improvement po ay malaki,” Pasquin said, when asked about the state of the anti-drug campaign in the municipality.

He added that the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) have already been organized in the barangay and they are now in close coordination with the police.

As for the drug surrenderees, Mayor Reluya has assured that they will develop a program to aid them in their rehabilitation process.

She said that despite the tragedy that has struck her family and the entire municipality of San Fernando in the January-22 ambush, she is firm in her stand to expedite the economic growth and ensuring the safety of the residents during her second term through her ten-point agenda.

The agenda includes: tourism promotion, accelerate infrastructure projects, intensify agricultural productivity, human development, development with the environment, economic growth, enhance safety and security, and comprehensive ID system.

Reluya stressed that her resolve stems from her moving on from the tragedy.

Through this, she believes, she is fulfilling her late husband’s dreams for San Fernando.

Last January 22, Reluya survived an ambush in Barangay Linao, Talisay City, but the incident claimed the lives of her husband, Ricardo, who was then the village chief of Panadtaran, their driver Allan Bayot and municipal local economic and investment officer Ricky Monterona.

Ricardo, being the president of the town’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), then sat as an ex-officio member of the municipal council.

With Ricardo’s death, his son Ricci replaced him as candidate for vice mayor.  Ricci eventually won the race. (FREEMAN)