THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Western Visayas office (PDEA-6) has started verifying if anti-drug councils at the municipal and barangay levels are functioning. Senior Superintendent Marlon A. Tayaba, head of the Iloilo provincial police, earlier flagged concerns over non-functional local anti-drug councils.
PDEA-6 Regional Director Wardley M. Getalla said they are now checking on the municipal anti-drug abuse councils (MADAC) and the barangay anti-drug abuse councils (BADAC) in the region.
“Based on data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government), almost 100% of the local government units were given lectures on how to activate their MADACs and BADACs. It is not only enough that you have established these councils. It remains under debate whether they serve their mandate,” Mr. Getalla told the media last week, “They should have an auxiliary team. They should meet every day and conduct monthly activities.”
He also noted that one of the criteria in declaring a barangay “drug-cleared” is the functionality of the BADAC. Mr. Getalla said PDEA aims to make all barangays active in drug-clearing operations by June 2018. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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