More drug-cleared barangays get incentive

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has released a total of P2.2 million as incentives for the drug-cleared barangays and best performing anti-drug councils.

At least seven barangays received P200,000 each after being certified as drug-cleared and at the same time chosen to have the best Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in 2023. These are Barangays Kalubihan, Punta Princesa, Adlaon, Agsungot, Kasambagan, Kamagayan and Cambinocot.

Barangays Basak San Nicolas, Basak Pardo, and Tisa were also recognized among the best BADAC in 2023 and received P100,000 each. Five other barangays were pronounced drug-cleared and got P100,000. They are Mabini, Budlaan, Tabunan, Binaliw, and Zapatera.

The selection for the best BADAC went under a thorough scrutiny from the Department of Interior and Local Government-Cebu City, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Cebu City Police Office.

The incentives were distributed on the first day of July by the Cebu City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) and the Cebu City Anti-drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia is glad for this development but challenged the barangays to continue to perform their best.

“We always have to strive for excellence, no less than just excellence. We have to make sure that our service is above par para ma-feel sa atong mga constituents nga naay barangay,” Garcia said.

So far, Cebu City now has a total of 32 drug-cleared barangays said CADAC chairman Ernest Herrera.

The rest of the drug-cleared barangays are Sto Nino, Sudlon 1 and 2, Sapangdaku, Sinsin, Toong, Parian, San Antonio, Pamutan, Kinasang-an, Lusaran, Buot Taup, Tagbao, Bacayan, Taptap, Guba, Pit-os, Paril, and Malubog.

“Dako ang atong pagtuo isip chairman sa CADAC nga manakod sa uban barangays ang ilang kamadasigon nga mahimo unya nga drug-cleared barangays ug mapili isip best BADAC. Kini human nadawat ang financial incentive,” said Herrera. – /FPL (FREEMAN)