Organize anti-drug councils or face raps, barangay officials told

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay officials who refuse to organize their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) face administrative charges, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said yesterday.

“We are studying the possible charges to be filed against erring barangay officials. We hope they act fast,” Año said.

He said barangay captains should prove their commitment to rid their communities of illegal drugs by organizing their respective BADACs.

Año said the activation of BADACs would ensure a concerted effort to implement an anti-drug campaign at the community level.

Records at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) National Barangay Operations Office show that 94 percent or 39,417 of the 42,036 barangays nationwide have organized their BADACs. At least 86 percent of the compliant barangays have organized auxiliary teams, but only 61 percent have formulated their plan of action.

The barangay captain and councilman who chairs the peace and order council should serve as the chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively, of the anti-drug council. Its members are the barangay council member who chairs the committee on women and family, Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, a public school principal or his representative, the chief village watchmen and a representative of a faith-based or non-government organization.  The police chief or his representative will serve as its adviser.

Año said Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño was tasked to monitor compliance with the DILG directive to organize BADACs and recommend the filing of charges against non-performing barangay officials.

The council should plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in the barangay as well as organize and orient auxiliary teams on their roles and functions as well as in formulating plans of action.

Año said BADACs are expected to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions, such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the municipal or city government, in implementing programs and projects on drug abuse prevention at the barangay level.

The council should refer suspected drug users to the city or municipal anti-drug councils and other institutions for counselling and/or rehabilitation.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the implementation of the PNP’s Project Double Barrel has been adversely affected in barangays without operational BADACs.

“These councils are the most formidable anti-drug local government bodies that can be created because of their influence on local residents. They can relate to the needs of their constituents,” Dela Rosa said.