BATAAN – Owing to their relentless and successful campaign against illegal drugs, the towns of Hermosa, Pilar, and Dinalupihan were cited as national awardees, while the province of Bataan itself and eight towns and one city bagged regional awards for their successful campaign against illegal drugs.

In fact, Hermosa and Pilar towns were “Hall of Famer” for winning awards several times in their campaign against illegal drugs.

For their part, Mayor Jopet Inton of Hermosa and Mayor Charlie Pizarro of Pilar town proudly told newsmen that their towns were considered the “most peaceful” due to their campaign against illicit drugs without let up.

It was Mayor Tong Santos of Dinalupihan and former Mayor Gila Garcia, now congresswoman of Bataan’s 3rd District, who personally received the awards at the Manila Hotel.

Addressing the 2022 Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Awards held here, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Anthony Nuyda said this is a “celebration” and recognition of all the efforts and hard work of LGUs (local government units), DILG offices, and national government agencies (NGAs) in raising public awareness on anti-illegal drugs activities and empowering the communities.

“This event is an annual culmination of all our efforts in the fight against illegal drugs. By all means, let us continue to guide and support one another in ensuring that we will have peaceful and drug-free communities. This year [2023], I ask each of you to continue and intensify your efforts in advocating anti-drug abuse programs,” he emphasized.

For her part, DILG Undersecretary for Plans, Public Affairs, and Communication Margarita Gutierrez congratulated the awardees for their vital role in achieving the dream of a safer, healthier, and drug-free Philippines.

“You are here today because of your excellence in implementing anti-drug policies, innovations, and best practices. As local ADACs, you are in a unique position to feel the pulse of the people and forward the anti-drug advocacy from the very grassroots. And you have done exactly that and more,” she said.

Gutierrez added that the awardees are among the exceptional local governments who have been trailblazers in the fight against illegal drugs and who have made a change in their communities.

Of the 84 LGUs, eight were hailed as national awardees, while the remaining 76 were recognized as regional awardees.

The national awardees include the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Pilar in Bataan; Candaba, Masantol, and San Luis in Pampanga; Anao in Tarlac; and San Felipe in Zambales.

Meanwhile, the regional awardees include the provincial government of Aurora, 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.

In Bulacan, the 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 included in the roster of awardees are 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 ADAC Performance Awards recognizes LGUs for their exemplary performance in complementing the national government’s anti-illegal drug campaign and also highlighting community involvement in preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs under the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) program.

Criteria for determining high functional ADACs include a rating of not lower than 80 percent in Barangay ADAC with high functionality; ability to maintain drug-cleared or drug-free status; and reduction of drug cases in the area for 2022.