The local government of Mountain Province has been assessed as consistent in having highly functional provincial anti-drug abuse council and having the most number of highly functional municipal anti-drug abuse councils for 2020.
The assessment was conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government-CAR covering 2019 and 2020 in coordination with partner agencies and civil society organizations.
DILG Regional Director Araceli San Jose reported Mountain Province is the lone provincial LGU in the Cordillera audited with high functional anti-drug abuse council garnering 100 percent based on rated indicators in terms of performance and accomplishments in 2020 assessed with the national audit team.
Twenty-three municipal anti-drug abuse councils were also assessed as highly functional in the same year.
The LGUs were among those recognized during an awarding ceremony on Dec. 10 via Facebook live.
Mountain Province also garnered 100 percent in the 2019 assessment and considered highly functional along with Apayao which garnered 80 percent rating, while 16 municipal anti-drug abuse councils were also rated highly functional.
Consistent high functional anti-drug abuse councils that garnered 100 percent are the municipalities of La Paz, Lacub, Tineg, and Tubo in Abra; Pudtol in Apayao; Kapangan and Tublay in Benguet; Tinoc, Ifugao; and Bauko, Barlig, Bontoc, Sadanga, and Tadian in Mountain Province.
Functionality indicators or criteria in the assessment of anti-drug abuse councils are organization; allocation of funds for the implementation of anti-drug abuse activities as indicated in their peace and order and public safety plan; implementation of plans and programs; support to anti-drug abuse councils in component LGUs; conduct of meetings; and innovations.
San Jose said the DIL-CAR is proud of the LGUs’ accomplishments in the campaign against illegal drugs and emphasized illegal drug eradication is not only the job of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, but it is a “whole of LGU” approach.
Among the roles of LGUs in the illegal drug campaign is to have activated, strengthened, and functional local anti-drug abuse council and comprehensive local anti-drug plan of action to eliminate drug affectation with corresponding targets per quarter.
It must ensure it allocates substantial funds for anti-illegal drugs programs, activities, operations based on Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act; and ensure the functionality of Badacs and implementation of anti-illegal drug related programs activities and operations. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
