With its relentless and exemplary drive against the illegal drugs trade and for being one of the country’s top performers in complementing the national government’s intensified anti-illegal drug campaign, the provincial government of Davao Oriental is once again being conferred a prestigious award as the 2021 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) “Gold” Awardee during the 2020-2021 Davao Region Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Awards on March 15, 2022 at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City.
Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Action Officer Ronald Vidoy who represented Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang personally received the plaque of recognition from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI Assistant Regional Director Abdullah V. Matalam and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI Regional Director Aileen T. Lovitos.
“We shall remain firm in maintaining our resolute focus on eradicating the immediate threats to our communities’ security posed by the evils of illegal drugs trade that destroy our future and the peace in our communities, threatening the safety of our families, particularly the youth,” said by Governor Dayanghirang in a message conveyed by PADAC Action Officer Vidoy.
During the conduct of 2019 ADAC Performance Audit, Davao Oriental has garnered a score of 100 functionality points with a corresponding adjectival functional rating of (Ideal) High Functionality. Among the functionality score indicators are the creation and reorganization of Anti-Drug Abuse Council, allocation of funds, implementation of plans and programs, and the conduct of meetings and innovations.
Davao Oriental has been a consistent Gold Awardee Province since 2017 due to its successful implementation and prioritization of the programs safeguarding the community from the threats and havoc caused by illegal drugs.
One of Davao Oriental’s promising anti-drug abuse programs is the Lihok Nagkahiusang Lumulupyo Kontra Droga which mobilizes communities and partners to fight against drugs up to the barangay level. Currently, a total of 154 barangays in the province have already been declared as “drug-cleared” and five other villages are “drug-free.” 24 other villages in the province are expected to be cleared on the second quarter of this year.
Governor Dayanghirang also established the Balay Silangan: Bagong Bahay Para sa Bagong Buhay, which is Davao Region’s first provincial government-run drug reformation center providing comprehensive services for drug reformists. Balay Silangan has already served 149 Outpatient Program clients and 13 Inpatient Program clients since its operation in 2019.
Aside from helping former drug users, persons formerly involved in the illegal drug trade are also being aided to start over with their new lives through “Project Tulay.”
In its road to a drug-free Davao Oriental, it has produced a total of 5,521 graduates out of 8,341 Persons Who Uses Drugs (66%) in the Community-based Rehabilitation Program since 2016.
Moreover, the provincial government has deemed the youth sector as a vital part in the anti-drugs campaign by tapping them through their involvement in the youth organizations that provides advocacies against illegal drugs.
During the awarding ceremony, Assistant Secretary for Peace and Order Manuel B. Felix and PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva expressed their virtual congratulatory messages to Local Government Units (LGUs) with their continuing endeavors to end the havoc caused by illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, DILG Provincial Director Orle Cabaobao who also graced the event has received a certificate of appreciation for his significant contribution in support to the anti-illegal drugs activities and advocacies.
Aside from the province of Davao Oriental, the City of Mati LGU was also conferred the National ADAC Gold Award along with six other LGUs in the Davao Region. By Mark Oliver Lim Alvite
