TABUK, Kalinga -- Local officials committed their all out support to realize a drug-free Philippines as targeted by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Governor Jocel Baac led more than 300 local officials in expressing their commitment during the recent launching of the MASA (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya) MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya) at the Kalinga Sports Center.
Baac first committed to end the illegal drugs problem in the province by year end. The timetable was shared by the respective municipal chief executives who committed during the said launching to rid their jurisdictions from the drug menace.
Initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, MASA MASID is a community-based approach in fighting illegal drugs, and graft and corruption which encourages multi-sectoral partnership to intensify the spirit of volunteerism. It is guided by 14 para meters.
DILG Cordillera regional director Marlo Iringan challenged participants the campaign of Pres. Duterte to stop illegal drugs can be done with everyone’s involvement.
Aside from local officials, chiefs of police, municipal local government operations officers, representatives of civil society organizations and other stakeholders also committed to help in the fight against drugs.
Meanwhile, DILG provincial director Mayer Along urged the police to strengthen their intelligence gathering in order to score against pushers. Under the drug rehabilitation program, the provincial social welfare office will do the profiling of users; the health department through trained doctors to establish their drug dependency; the courts to order the rehabilitation of addicts, and other agencies to provide skills training and employment. (Peter Balocnit/PIA CAR)