CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Some 84 local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon were recently recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in their fight against illegal drugs and empowering communities in combatting the social plague.
During the 2022 Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Awards, eight were hailed as national awardees, while the remaining 76 were recognized as regional awardees.
The San Luis, Candaba and Masantol LGUs in Pampanga LGU led national awardees, along with the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Pilar in Bataan; Anao in Tarlac; and San Felipe in Zambales.
The regional awardees include the Provincial Government of Aurora, and the municipalities of Baler, Casiguran, Dilasag, Dingalan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, and San Luis in Aurora; and the Provincial Government of Bataan, Balanga City, Abucay, Bagac, Limay, Mariveles, Morong, Orani, Orion, and Samal in Bataan.
Other awardees include the Provincial Government of Bulacan, Meycauayan City, City of San Jose del Monte, Balagtas, Baliwag, Guiguinto, Plaridel, San Miguel, and Doña Remedios Trinidad; while in Nueva Ecija, these include the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija, San Jose City, Science City of Muñoz, Bongabon, Cabiao, Cuyapo, Gabaldon, Guimba, Licab, Llanera, Peñaranda, Rizal, San Antonio, San Leonardo, Santa Rosa, Talavera, Talugtug, and Zaragosa.
Also recognized were the City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Arayat, Lubao, Macabebe, Magalang, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, San Simon, and Santa Ana in Pampanga; Provincial Government of Tarlac, Tarlac City, Bamban, Camiling, Capas, Concepcion, Gerona, Moncada, Paniqui, Ramos, San Clemente, San Manuel, Santa Ignacia, and Victoria in Tarlac; and Botolan, Candelaria, Palauig, San Marcelino, San Narciso, and Sta. Cruz in Zambales.
The DILG said the ADAC, which is under the national government's "Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan" program, is a recognition of all the efforts and hard work of LGUs, DILG offices, and national government agencies in raising public awareness on anti-illegal drugs activities.
The DILG added that the awardees are among the exceptional local governments who have led the way in the fight against illegal drugs, which have made a safer, healthier, and drug-free communities.