HEEDING the call of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for barangay leaders to encourage residents to be advocates of the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) Program, a barangay in Pasig conducted programs to promote peace and order in the community.

During the Barangay Assembly Day for the first semester of the year which was held recently , Barangay San Antonio (BSA) Chairman Raymond Lising commended the Lupong Tagapamaya, the body that comprises the barangay justice system, for being empowered and passing the latest evaluation of DILG on Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards.

“Ang atin pong tagapagpamayapa ngayon ay talagang very empowered na po, talagang very active doon sa pakikipagtulungan sa DILG. And a little update lang po sa ating cases as of March 21, we have eight cases, one is criminal, seven are civil; five have been settled, one has been issued a certificate to file action at dalawa po rito ay pending”, Lising said.

The assembly, which revolved around the theme “B-BIDA KA! Barangay BIDA Ka sa Pagpapatupad ng Kapayapaan, Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan, at Pagpapaigting ng Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Isang Ligtas, Mapayapa, Maunlad, at Masaganang Pamayanan”, highlighted not only the duty of the barangay officials, but also the role of the residents as BIDA advocates.

As the DILG continues to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr. earlier called on barangay leaders to encourage their constituents to become BIDA advocates during their Barangay Assembly Day for the first quarter of 2023.

“Nananawagan tayo na gamitin nila ang Barangay Assembly Day upang mahikayat ang kanilang constituents na maging BIDA advocates at makiisa sa ating laban sa iligal na droga ,” said Abalos.

“Gamitin natin ang makabuluhang pagtitipon na ito upang tulungan ang buong pamahalaan para mapababa ang demand sa iligal na droga at sisimulan natin yan sa ating mga pamayanan. Naniniwala ako na kaya nating gawin ito basta’t magtutulungan tayo,” he added.

According to Abalos, the BIDA program has a holistic strategy that focuses also on the rehabilitation of victims of illegal drug use.

Aside from peace-focused initiatives, BSA also has a lot of programs and services under what it calls “Alagang BSA”, which includes significant collaborations with civil society organizations, government agencies, and religious sectors.

Supporting its citizens’ education, growth, and passion, the barangay has been giving assistance to students and athletes, among others. To date, it has a P3-million running balance of disbursed allowances and a P8-million running balance of disbursed tuition fees for its 140 college scholars, provided to the latter through digital disbursement in partnership with GCash. Incentives are also being provided to BSA athletes.

The BSA also had significant collaborations within the first quarter of the year which enabled free medical services and trainings to residents.

This included a free cancer screening program with the help of the Rotary Club of Makati West and the Philippine Cancer Society, and free cardiopulmonary resuscitation training led by experts from The Medical City, among others.

Meanwhile, 1,100 registered senior citizens in the barangay have also been getting the assistance and perks they deserve. Medical support, birthday gift packs, P1000 midyear and P500 Christmas cash gifts, as well as an additional P5000 cash gift for nonagenarians (90 years old) are also provided to the elderly. The barangay also held a Senior Power Day.

Lising has vowed to his constituents to continue his projects and programs and to create more innovations for the benefit of our community.