The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has launched its Facebook Page called “Barangay PDEA” to serve the agency’s official online communication platform in the implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).
The online campaign promotes a unique approach in mitigating the menace of illegal drugs in the country by providing updated and accessible information about the BDCP, especially in this time of pandemic.
“The BDCP is the main framework of the agency’s anti-drug strategy that embodies a holistic and whole-of-nation approach in addressing the country’s drug problem. That is why there is a need to widely disseminate the program to enjoin the local government units (LGUs) and people in the communities to support and help in its implementation,” said PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva.
The Barangay PDEA aims to promote a balanced and humane anti-drug campaign. It provides the public a more comprehensive platform of information on the harm reduction initiatives of the BDCP like the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program and Balay Silangan, both drug intervention programs for surrendering drug users and pushers to help them re-integrate in the society and become productive citizens.
In addition to improving the social media presence of Barangay PDEA, the page will be linked to other online platforms for live broadcasting. “This should afford the public the chance to ask questions and receive answers live from PDEA resource persons hence, allaying the circulation of fake news while communicating messages of hope and transformation to the Filipino people,” Villanueva added.
The facebook page features segments like “SA TOTOO LANG” which features audio-visual presentations in the actual numbers/data on the war on drugs from the barangay to the national level; and “TUTOK BARANGAY” which uses live broadcast peg of the Director General or resource persons like governors, mayors, barangay chieftains, among others, on matters concerning the BDCP. The segment highlights the accountability of those who are responsible for the implementation of the program by presenting local data and highlighting best practices.
Another segment is the “BAGONG BUHAY” which showcases the success stories of those who are on their way to personal transformation and those already reformed after undergoing a community-based intervention program, and the “TULONG TAO”, a segment that sparks volunteerism through the bayanihan spirit, thus optimizing more force-multipliers on the ground.
“The Barangay PDEA will inform, educate and inspire all stakeholders to work hand-in-hand with the government in achieving the goal of having a drug-free country by 2022, as promised by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” the PDEA chief said.