Iloilo City barangays urged to put into effect drug abuse councils or else

LIGA ng mga Barangay-Iloilo President and City Councilor Irene Ong called on barangay officials to comply the documentary requirements for the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
“All barangay officials must comply with the BADAC committee and your report in your respective barangays. Ang mga newly elected officials, they have to reconstitute the BADAC and they will be given extension,” said Ong.
Ong emphasized that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) can file administrative cases against officials who cannot comply.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III also called on the public officials to pass the necessary requirements.
“Tani you do your job as elected public officials. You have to do your work. And if it is required by law na may BADAC kamo tani himuon niyo man ang inyo responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, DILG-Iloilo City head Atty. Ferdinand Panes reiterated that all barangay officials, especially the newly elected officials, must constitute not only the BADAC but also with other committees.
“Term-based ang creation sina so they have to constitute almost 16 committees and not just the BADAC. To be fair with them taga-an man namon sila time basta they can submit the confidential list by November,” Panes added.
Under the law, all barangays in every local government unit shall establish the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) within its territorial jurisdiction, which shall render assistance to law enforcement agencies in the eradication and clearing operations of illegal drugs.
The council which is headed by the village chief will have kagawad, SK chairman, school principal/representative, chief tanod, civic society representative, and faith-based organization representative as its members.
Meanwhile, the city or municipal chief of police will be its adviser.
It is also a mandate to gather and update all drug related incidents and its effect on peace and order situation in the barangay including listings of suspected drug users and pushers.
They are also authorized to conduct an inventory of drug personalities who were identified to be involved in drug related activities and identify drug affected house clusters, sitios, work places, streets, puroks where there are violations of Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Source:  The Daily Guardian. In photo: Iloilo City Hall. Photo credit: iloilometropolitantimes.com