5 municipal anti-drug abuse councils in Abra recognized

BANGUED, Abra – Five local government units in the province were recently awarded as Most Outstanding Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Madac).
The mayors of Daguioman, Peñarrubia, Tineg, La Paz, and Tubo received their respective Most Outstanding Madac plaques during the 3rd quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Padac).
Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, Padac chair, and the Padac Performance Audit Team chaired by Department of the Interior and Local Government Abra Director Millicent Cariño led the awarding.
Outstanding Madacs are recognized for their effectiveness and functionality in addressing illegal drugs and related issues and concerns in their respective localities as it is one of the primary concentrations of the Duterte administration.
During the meeting, the mayors presented the best practices of their respective municipalities in attaining sustainable and functional MADAC objectives.
Peñarrubia Mayor Jane M. Cecilia highlighted their best anti-drug practice dubbed as Project “Kaynga – Biag ket Salwadan, Droga ket Adaywan tapnu Biag ket Sumaliwanwan.” Kaynga is an indigenous term that means “to care.” 
“With this joint project of the Philippine National Police and LGU, we are able to help 49 drug individuals to surrender and 18 graduates of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program,” Cecilia said.
For Tineg, Mayor Corinthia Crisologo recognized the role and contribution of indigenous people’s communities in achieving a peaceful and drug-free municipality. Tineg is the only municipality in the province that achieved 100 percent in the Madac audit.
“The Adasen community has been very helpful and cooperative, enabling the LGU to effectively carry out its mandate against illegal drug activities,” she said.
La Paz Mayor Menchie Bernos said it is also crucial to recognize the efforts of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council that led to effective collaboration from municipal to the grassroots level.
Bernos encouraged the LGUs to continue protecting their communities from the influence of illegal drugs by leading their anti-drug abuse councils in stopping all illegal drug activities. – Christian G. Tubadeza