ALABEL, Sarangani (February 3, 2023) – Municipal and provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) focal persons and members convened on February 1 at the Horizon Suites, General Santos, to discuss matters related to the implementation of the council’s programs and targets for 2023.

The discussion includes compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Policy; Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program; adoption of the Anti-Drug Abuse System; Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBRP) Program reporting system; performance audit on ADAC; and updates in screening, brief intervention, and referral treatment (SBIRT).

Based on the report by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Sarangani Provincial Police Office, "only two out of the 141 barangays in Sarangani remain uncleared."

The report does not include the newly created Barangay New Canaan in Alabel.

Provincial ADAC focal person Lizette Lopez said, "we are trying to have a round of conversations with other agencies concerned para ma-meet natin yung drug-cleared province."

"We are really aiming for a drug-cleared province, and we are really hoping that all these projects, proposals, and activities (PPAs) we have discussed will really help para ma-declare tayo as a totally drug-cleared province," she added.

Lopez also emphasized the contribution of the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to the implementation of the goals of the council.

"We are also looking forward na ang lahat ng mga LGU, and the PLGU will be highly functional this year, kasi for five years we were considered one of the provinces na highly functional," Lopez said.

On November 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 12 awarded PLGU Sarangani as the most outstanding peace and order and anti-drug abuse council in the Region. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

 Photos by Mosler Paul Lapore