ANTI-DRUG FIGHT. The municipality of Zaragoza is one of the 18 local government units in Nueva Ecija province that received an award during the 2022 Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award held at the Kingsborough International Convention Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Monday (Jan. 16, 2023). The others are the provincial government of Nueva Ecija, the cities of San Jose and Muñoz and the municipalities of Bongabon, Cabiao, Cuyapo, Gabaldon, Guimba, Licab, Llanera, Peñaranda, Rizal, San Antonio, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Talavera and Talugtug. (Photo courtesy of the municipal government of Zaragoza)
CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Eighteen local government units (LGUs) in this province have been cited for their efforts in the fight against illegal drugs.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recognized the LGUs during the 2022 Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award held at the Kingsborough International Convention Center in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga on Monday.
In an interview on Wednesday, DILG Regional Director Anthony Nuyda said the award is part of an annual program that recognizes the dedication and initiatives of LGUs in the government's battle against prohibited drugs.
The awardees were the provincial government of Nueva Ecija, the cities of San Jose and Muñoz and its municipalities of Bongabon, Cabiao, Cuyapo, Gabaldon, Guimba, Licab, Llanera, Peñaranda, Rizal, San Antonio, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Talavera, Talugtug and Zaragoza.
Nuyda said these LGUs showed excellent performance in the war against illegal drugs by ensuring compliance with various policies and implementation of significant drug demand and supply reduction programs and have undergone a rigorous evaluation and performance audit by the DILG, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
The awardees each received a symbolic marker and PHP100,000 cash.
"Hangad ng DILG ang patuloy na pagsusulong ng mga programa kontra ilegal na droga tungo sa pagkakaroon ng mapayapa at drug-free na mga pamayanan (It is the goal of the DILG to continuously promote programs against illegal drugs towards peaceful and drug-free communities)," Nuyda said.
Recently, the agency launched the "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" (BIDA) program in an effort to involve the community in an upscaled campaign against the drug menace. (PNA)
