CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) conferred the 2020 Special Awards to 51 local government units (LGUs) and 4 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Central Luzon.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 3 Local Government Operations Officer IV Joanna Maureen Marasigan said the awards aim to recognize LGUs, CSOs, and regional focal persons for their continued effort in completing the national anti-illegal drug campaign of the government.
“All seven provinces in Central Luzon were nominated under categories such as LGUs that have sustained the drug-free status of their unaffected barangays; and LGUs that have sustained the drug-cleared status of their drug-affected barangays,” she said.
The municipalities of Hermosa in Bataan, San Simon in Pampanga, and San Narciso in Zambales were recognized for the Category A awards or the cities and municipalities that have sustained the drug-cleared status of their drug-affected barangays and satisfied other relevant criteria.
Moreover, the municipalities of Casiguran, Dilasag, Dingalan, Dinalungan, Maria Aurora, and San Luis in the province of Aurora were recognized under the Category B which are cities and municipalities that have sustained their drug-unaffected barangays.
Other Category B awardees include Abucay, Bagac, Hermosa, Limay, Pilar, and Balanga City in Bataan; Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan; Bongabon, Carranglan, Cuyapo, Talugtug, and Palayan City in Nueva Ecija; Bamban, Capas, Gerona, Mayantoc, Moncada, Paniqui, Pura, Santa Ignacia, Victoria, and Tarlac City in Tarlac; Apalit, Bacolor, Candaba, Floridablanca, Guagua, Mabalacat City, Magalang, Masantol, Minalin, Porac, San Luis, Sasmuan, and Sto. Tomas in Pampanga; and Botolan, Masinloc, Palauig, San Antonio, San Marcelino, San Narciso, Sta. Cruz, and Subic in Zambales.
Meanwhile, recognized under Category C or CSOs who worked relentlessly on their anti-illegal drug programs amidst the pandemic were Christian Ministerial Association of Pulilan Incorporated, and Anti-Crime and Community Response Team Incorporated in the province of Bulacan; Casiguran Ministerial Fellowship in Aurora; and Ako ang Saklay Incorporated in Nueva Ecija.
During the virtual awarding, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año commended the recipients for setting such good examples among LGUs by sustaining their barangay drug-clearing efforts despite the trials brought by the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“You have made sure that communities are safe from illegal drug peddlers. You ensured that areas under your rule remain peaceful and safe. I would also like to thank DILG ADAC regional focal persons, together with your Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency counterparts, for your commitment to free our LGUs and barangays from the shackles of illegal drugs,” he said.
National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award Implementation started in 2018 covering 81 provincial ADACs, 146 city ADACs, and 1, 488 municipal ADACs which are subjected to performance audit. –Jag Lyra D. Costamero