CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- In line with the 25th anniversary celebration of the Local Government Code, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday launched the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (MASA-MASID) program in the region.
The MASA-MASID is a barangay-based anti-criminality, anti-corruption and anti-illegal drugs program which encourages multi-sectoral partnership through volunteerism.
DILG Central Luzon Director Florida Dijan said that the program is a collaborative work with the Philippine National Police, provincial and local government, village officials, civil society groups and other non-government organizations, faith-based groups and residents including the youth.
"Everyone must be involved in this program because this is a concern of our community. Everyone is encouraged to participate in intensifying our advocacy and education campaign against illegal activities for the betterment of our region," Dijan said.
She stressed that every sector will have its own role in the implementation of the program such as the provincial and local government as administrators which will create and mobilize the MASA-MASID team; the barangay level through the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council and Barangay Peace and Order Council in the monitoring of activities and the private sector and non-government organization as campaign drivers.
"Our aim is to make Central Luzon the first crime and drug-free region in the country," she stressed.
Dijan said that DILG will prioritize the illegal drug situation in the region which is the pressing call of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, especially that several clandestine shabu laboratories were discovered in the region recently.
"Every region will be a priority because we do not want to clean one and let the other one left infested. We will be monitoring the performance of every region and investigate sketchy activities," she said.
Dijan said that anti-illegal drugs programs will focus on the rehabilitation of arrested and self-confessed users and pushers to help them reform themselves.
She said that program implementation will include three phases including patient care, the family care and community care.
"As we reform individuals, we would also want to treat the community where they belong to make sure nobody will be a victim of illegal drugs again," she noted.