HEROES OF DRUG WAR. Department of the Interior of Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (center) leads the 2023 ADAC Performance Awards held at Crowne Plaza in Quezon City on Wednesday (Nov. 22, 2023). The DILG chief said the ADACs are heroes of the government's anti-drug campaign. (Photo courtesy of DILG)
MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. touted anti-drug abuse councils (ADACs) as "heroes" of the government's fight against illegal drugs in the grassroots level.
The ADACs are multi-sectoral councils responsible for the formulation of plans and the implementation of local anti-drug abuse programs, projects and activities in a particular locality.
“This war would always be fought at the grassroots. And who would be the first to fight these, it's you (ADACs). You are the heroes of our fight against illegal drugs,” he said during the 2023 ADAC Performance Awards held at the Crowne Plaza in Quezon City on Wednesday.
Abalos said ADACs play a key role in the whole-of-nation and holistic approach against illegal drugs under the department’s Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program, which is now on its first year.
“This is a war we are fighting for our children, our future and our country. We will continue and we still have so many things to do. Long live the champions of ADACs,” he added.
During the event, the DILG recognized 246 local government units for their remarkable accomplishments and success in the battle against illegal drugs in their respective areas.
Abalos said the awardees were chosen based on the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) functionality and sustainability of drug-free or drug-cleared status.
He added they were also chosen based on percentage of completion rate of graduates versus enrollees at the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP).
Next PNP chief
During the same event, Abalos said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now in the process of selecting the best possible replacement for Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. who is set to retire next week.
“Almost all of them are good, but of course, this would be based on the President's prerogative. But in terms of character that is being looked for, the number one standard should be output and performance. That means, crime is going down, drug arrests are going up – that's what people are looking for, and that's what we need,” he said.
Acorda, who assumed as top cop on April 24, will retire upon turning 56 on Dec. 3 after 37 years of service.
He is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1991. (PNA)
