LAGAWE, Ifugao – – Officials, law authorities and leaders in the private sector who are looking for more effective ways and means to curb the drug menace, may find themselves duplicating the “success story” of the Poblacion East Barangay Council in Lagawe.
Punong Barangay Alfonso Dominong said the success behind the village attainment of being declared “drug free” lies in the cooperation between barangay council officials, residents and law enforcers.
Dominong said aside from the barangay government officials, vigilant citizenry and the dedicated men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the support and assistance of non-government organizations’ (NGOs’) leaders is vital.
He pointed out that the role of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in curbing the drug problem is essential. The BADAC is providing the PNP a drug watch list. Thus, it forms an integral part of the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang program. Oplan Tokhang entails that known drug users and pushers across the country to present themselves to the police.
There are 20 barangays (villages) in the capital town of Lagawe. Ifugao, with 175 barangays, has been reportedly declared recently as a “drug free” province.
President Duterte has disclosed in a number of occasions that over 90 percent of the country’s more than 42,000 barangays are affected by the drug scourge.
According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), “drug affected” barangays in the country are classified as seriously, moderately and slightly affected ones.
Presence of drug dependents, manufacturers, plantations and laboratories in the community would already merit the classification of a drug-affected barangay.
Thousands of drug users and pushers throughout the Philippines who surrendered to the PNP had been called “drug personalities.” They also include financiers. Over 7,000 Filipinos were killed due to police operations. A sizeable number of them are alleged victims of extra-judicial killings. Lately, President Duterte linked scores of politicians to the drug problem.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Dominong motioned that cooperation and support of all sectors in society are essential in the government’s all-out war against banned drugs.
“What we’re doing to keep on track the anti-drug campaign is so important in order to protect the well-being of the people, most especially the young,” Dominong told the ZigZag Weekly during a recent barangay council meeting.
The village’s BADAC is headed by Punong Barangay Dominong. Vice chairman is Kagawad Tomas Towanna Jr., who is the chairman of the Committee on Peace and Order. Members include Kagawad Pecicles Gallap, Rachie Namingit, Corazon Pablo, chief tanod Conrado Pasapan, IGEMCO general manager Godfrey Dominong and Pastor Daniel Nanglihan. Adviser is Peter Camitas.
There are two standing BADAC committees. The Committee on Operations is chaired by Kagawad Towanna. Members are Punong Barangay Dominong, Mr. Pasapan and the BADAC auxiliary team.
The Committee on Advocacy is headed by Kagawad Ariel Sumeg-ang, concurrent chairman of the Committee on Women and Family. Members are Rachie Namingit, Emma Tayaban, Manuel Cuttiyog and Alipyon Inhumang.
The barangay council is also composed of Kagawads (councilmen) Edward Bumohya and Arsenio Tuguinay. Barangay secretary is Annie Bess Lablabang. Rosalie Towanna is the barangay treasurer.
In the latest report, 13 drug individuals who surrendered were accounted for in this barangay. One of them is a female drug dependent.
Today, the barangay government of Poblacion East- under the strong and abled leadership of Punong Barangay Alfonso Dominong, is promoting the village as a role model in the anti-illegal drugs and substances drive amid growing interest in the Duterte administration’s thrust to stamp out these longstanding and mounting problem. Poblacion East is the largest barangay in Lagawe in terms of land size as well as number of residents and voters. It has seven puroks. Councilor Angel Tanguiling served as the village’s chieftain for nine consecutive years prior to the assumption into office by then Kagawad Dominong after the May 2016 polls.
In a related development, Punong Barangay Dominong has disclosed that the Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Illegal na Droga (MASA MASID) program in this barangay is already well in place and fully operational. The program intends to encourage communities to take a proactive stance in the government’s fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality.
Dominong also reiterated his call to weed out corruption and other anomalies.
He also called on his constituents to support the MASA MASID program and other initiatives of President Duterte.** By Anthony A. Araos
