ANGELES CITY –The local government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. was recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for two consecutive years for its anti-drug programs with high-functionality.
The award from the DILG was received by Richard Alan Saul, Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council Officer-in-Charge, on December 13, 2021 during the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Summit Cum ADAC awarding.
Mayor Lazatin said this is in line with his top agenda of ensuring a drug-free community, to further cleanse the streets of Angeles City from the illegal drug menace.
“We would like to thank the DILG in recognizing our efforts to eliminate drugs in the city, and rest assured that we are on the run to fight the seeds of illegal drugs,” Lazatin shared.
Based on the audit of the ADAC-Functionality Monitoring System, the performance of Angeles City has reached a high level of functionality, in accordance with indicators set by the DILG.
Saul explained that this means that the city has 80% success rate in terms of rehabilitation programs for drug surrenderees, mentioning the established Balay Silangan reformation center of the city in 2020, supervised by Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas.
The Balay Silangan Reformation Center is a brainchild of former Director General Aaron Aquino of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to reform illegal drug offenders.
To date, the center has 33 in-patient clients, and __ was assisted in the rehabilitation treatment, shouldered by the city government.
“We provide support groups, seminars, and other comprehensive activities such as counseling, lectures, outreach programs, tree-planting, family intervention,” Saul said.
Apart from this, the 33 Barangay ADAC are functional and activated through the realization of the community-based reformation center that will provide trainings and livelihood for drug law offenders – such as basket weaving training and aircon maintenance training.
According to Saul, 5 barangays were already drug-cleared including Barangays Mining, Sto. Rosario, Virgen Delos Remedios, Cuayan, and Margot.
“Mayroon pa po tayong 10 pending na barangays for now, at ongoing din po ang 4 pang barangays,” Saul said.
Saul also thanked the PDEA, Angeles City Police Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center, and City Health Office.
“Nais din po naming pasalamatan ang opisina ni Cong. Jon, at iba pang private sectors for their assistances,” Saul added.
“Hindi lamang po ang mga drug offenders ang tinutulungan natin, pati na rin po ang kanilang mga pamilya,” Saul said.
