The Department of the Interior and Local Government is assessing of the functionality of barangay anti-drug abuse councils (Badacs) in line with the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
The Badac audit is guided by the Dangerous Drugs Board-DILG Joint Memorandum Circular 2018-01, the implementing guidelines of the effectiveness of local anti-drug abuse councils and DILG Circular 2018-135 or the Technical guide notes on Badac functionality.
During the Regional Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs-Advocay Cluster, the DILG-Cordillera reported the Badac audit was last conducted in 2019 for the 2018 performance of barangays.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Badac audit for the 2019 was cancelled.
It will be conducted in the first semester of this year while the 2020 functionality performance will be done during the second semester.
Under the audit, the Badacs are assessed on 30 performance indicators in five thematic areas namely organizational development, citizen’s participation and capacity development, rehabilitation and integration referral system, education and advocacy, and program sustainability.
For 2018, the DILG reported the functionality of Badacs in the Cordillera averaged at “moderate” or progressive functionality.
Of the 1,176 barangays in Cordillera, 953 have functional Badac auxiliary teams and house cluster; 964 effective rehabilitation and reintegration referral system; 941 are active in education and advocacy campaign activities related to drug abuse prevention and illegal drug demand reduction, and 953 sustainable Barangay Drug Clearing Program and Badac operations.
DILG-Cordillera OIC Regional Director Araceli San Jose said barangays play an important role in the fight against illegal drugs.
With empowered barangays, there will be empowered communities in eradicating the supply of and demand for illegal and dangerous drugs and ultimately, drug-resistant and resilient Philippines can be achieved. – Carlito C. Dar
April 20, 2024
