The province of Negros Occidental has been recognized by the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) for its exemplary performance in implementing the national government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed thanks to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) for the recognition.
He received the plaque for the 2021 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award during the Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council- Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council Meeting held at the Capitol Social Hall here on Thursday afternoon.
As of Friday, a total of 321 out of 601 barangays in Negros Occidental have been declared as drug-cleared, based on the data provided by the PDEA-Negros Occidental Provincial Office.
Negros Occidental, the sole province awardee in Western Visayas, garnered a score of 90 functionality points during the conduct of the 2020 ADAC performance audit.
According to the DILG, the effectiveness of the local anti-drug council is measured based on the compliance to prescribed functionality and support to reduction of drug affectation in the area of jurisdiction.
An ADAC may only be eligible for awards if it garners an overall performance score in the functionality audit of 85 to 100 points.
Criteria include Barangay ADAC functionality (30 points); drug clearing (30 points); and reduction of drug affectation status (40 points).
The Regional Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, which includes members from the DILG, PDEA, Philippine National Police, and Department of Health, evaluates each barangay applicant as mandated by the DDB Regulation 3, series of 2017 on Barangay Drug Clearing Program.
Source: Philippines News Agency