IMMERSION. S/Sgt. Narcy Cerilo, designated Pulis sa Barangay (Cop in the Community), speaks at an assembly in Barangay San Vicente, Baao, Camarines Sur, on Friday (March 24, 2024). Law enforcement authorities live in drug-infested communities to personally identify pressing issues and provide direct assistance, part of the anti-illegal drugs program Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan. (Photo courtesy of Baao MPS)
MANILA – Law enforcers arrested 95,790 drug suspects and seized PHP21 billion worth of illegal drugs in the first year of the government’s centerpiece anti-illegal drugs program Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA).
The numbers were the result of 75,831 drug operations nationwide, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos said during the 1st anniversary celebration of BIDA at Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City on Saturday.
Abalos added that 177 police officers were slapped with drug-related charges while 28,000 villages are now drug-free.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na drug-free ang barangay nyo ay titigilan na namin (Just because your barangay is drug-free doesn't mean we'll stop). We will continue to monitor because there is a risk na baka bumalik (that illegal drugs may return),” Abalos said.
Abalos also highlighted the rehabilitation and reintegration aspects of BIDA as 1,534 local government units now have a community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) program.
The CBDR program serves 31,426 persons who use drugs (PWUD).
To further address the stigma confronting former PWUD, Abalos said the DILG is working with the Department of Labor and Employment to provide jobs for individuals who successfully finish their rehabilitation program.
“Dapat mawala ang branding na kapag gumamit ka, hindi ka na mapagkakatiwalaan. Ang importante ay kung paano ka tumayo sa pagkakadapa at paano ka tanggapin ng komunidad (The branding that once you use drugs, you can no longer be trusted, must be eliminated. What is important is how you recover and how the community accepts you),” Abalos said.
He also cited the revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (Cops in the Community) program’s pilot implementation, wherein law enforcement authorities live in drug-infested communities to personally identify pressing issues and provide direct assistance.
“We did this in Barangay Putatan in Muntinlupa, and I tell you this, halos nawala ang droga at bumaba ang cases ng eight focus crimes (drugs almost disappeared and cases of eight focus crimes have decreased),” he said.
Abalos was joined by former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, anti-illegal drugs advocates, representatives of recovering persons who used drugs group, religious sector, parents’ organizations, and village and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.
“In one year, we held 1,200 BIDA events supported by close to 400,000 participants,” Abalos said.
As for the future of the BIDA program, Abalos said the government will continue to employ innovative approaches. (PNA)
