With its continuous fight to achieve a drug-free province and for being one of the high-functional Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs), the Provincial Government of Bulacan was awarded the 2022 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the Regional Awards for Top Performing Provincial, City and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils held at the Kingsborough International Convention Center, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Included in the roster of awardees were the Cities of Meycauayan, San Jose Del Monte and Baliwag and Municipalities of Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, San Miguel and Doña Remedios Trinidad which passed the 2021 ADAC Performance Audit with criteria including the number of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC), drug-free status of their localities and the decrease in illegal drug cases for year 2022.
DILG-Central Luzon Regional Director Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda also announced during the program the launching of “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Iwasan” or the BIDA Program which will focus toward drug demand reduction and rehabilitation involving the assistance of LGUs, national government agencies (NGAs) and other key sectors.
In her message as the honorary guest, Atty. Margarita Gutierrez, DILG Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs and Communication and focal person of the BIDA program, said that she is counting on the local ADACs to be an inspiration to others in the country’s fight against drug-abuse.
“I am counting on each and every one of you to be the spark which lights that match.”
“In our fight against the drug menace, we need the whole nation’s strength and I am counting on each and every one of you here to be the spark which lights that match. Truly, I hope to stand here again next year, congratulating you once more for your excellent service. Not only that, but I hope your achievements may serve as an inspiration to other ADACs and local governments across the country, so that many more will be acknowledged next year for a job superbly done,” Gutierrez stressed.
Meanwhile, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando said that every LGU in the province is vital in achieving a drug-free province.
“Dahil sa pakikipagtulungan ng bawat isa, muling nagkamit ang Bulacan ng pagkilala.”
“Napakalaking bahagi po ng ating mga LGUs upang maisakatuparan natin ang layuning mapababa ang drug abuse dito sa ating lalawigan; nang dahil sa pakikipagtulungan ng bawat isa, muling nagkamit ang Bulacan ng pagkilala,” Fernando said.
“And by that, I vow to keep up the excellence that the province has shown in this field and will make sure that every Bulakenyo lives in a safe, healthy and drug-free Bulacan,” the governor concluded.
