BACOLOD CITY -- Between 80 and 90 percent of the 601 barangays in Negros Occidental, excluding those in Bacolod City, have organized their own Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs).
This was confirmed this week by Board Member Anabelle Bermudo, president of Liga ng mga Barangay in Negros Occidental, who said these anti-drug bodies in the villages are functioning.
She noted that the barangays are mandated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to activate the BADACs to help the campaign against illegal drugs in the grassroots.
Bermudo said barangay officials are also informed of the government’s anti-drug initiatives when they attend conferences.
She added that villages with BADACs are submitting monthly reports to the DILG and the Philippine National Police.
Bermudo said barangay officials will be held liable if they failed to submit the reports as she urged non-compliant barangays to comply.
She said the Liga ng mga Barangay is coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to determine if barangay officials are included in the drugs watchlist. (PNA)
