ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday presented the first National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award to 27 of Pangasinan’s 48 local government units (LGUs).
The department conferred the award in a ceremony at the Tent City Manila Hotel to Alaminos City, Anda, Bolinao, Bugallon, Burgos, Infanta, Labrador, Lingayen, Sual, Dagupan City, San Carlos City, Bayambang, Alcala, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Sta. Barbara, Urbiztondo, Balungao, Laoac, Pozorrubio, Rosales, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Sta. Maria, Sison, Urdaneta City, and Villasis town.
“The DILG recognized over 200 LGUs with functional ADACs (Anti-Drug Abuse Councils), which effectively carried out their duties and responsibilities in complementing the national government’s drive against illegal drugs,” the department said in a statement posted on its official Facebook page.
An ADAC is a multi-sectoral council composed of local officials and representatives of various community organizations tasked to spearhead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all local anti-drug abuse programs, projects, and activities.
DILG Alaminos City director Rhoderick Dawis, in a phone interview, said Alaminos City was one of the gold awardees, along with Bayambang town, scoring 100 in the performance rating, while the others were awarded with silver or high functionality, with a rating of 85-99 in their performance.
Dagupan City was among the silver awardees.
“One major initiative that clinched the national silver award was the city’s Sagip-User Rehabilitation and Empowerment (SURE) program. Through Mayor Belen T. Fernandez’s initiative, the SURE program was instituted as the city’s drug rehabilitation community-based program. The program seeks to help drug surrenderers undergo drug-rehabilitation for free and earn the chance to start a new life by providing free moral and spiritual formation and helping them earn a clean living under the city’s livelihood programs,” the City Information Office said in a statement also on Friday.
The LGUs were rated by the ADAC Performance Audit National Calibration, based on composition, financial capabilities, functionality, and accomplishments of ADACs at different levels of local governments. (PNA)
