The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region V conducted its first virtual Regional Awarding Ceremonies centering on the theme: “Vanguards of Peace and Order Rising above the Pandemic,” on October 30, 2021 via Facebook live.
In partnership with the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) V, Regional Management and Coordinating Committee (RMCC) V, and Regional Peace and Order Committee (RPOC) V, the DILG Region V aired the awarding ceremonies covering the 2020 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Special Awards which recognizes the outstanding Local Government Units (LGUs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in strengthening their efforts to curb the use of illegal drugs, and the 2021 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) which gives recognition to outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa that adequately demonstrate the ability to judiciously and expeditiously resolve disputes at the barangay level and demonstrate exemplary performance and commendable contributions in the promotion of Katarungang Pambarangay (KP).
The ADAC Special Awards has three categories, the first two of which are for the LGUs that have sustained their drug-cleared status for their drug affected barangays and LGUs that have sustained the drug-free status of their unaffected barangays, while the third is for the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that have worked relentlessly on their anti-illegal drugs program amidst the pandemic.
Two of the four recipients of the ADAC Special Awards for the first category are the LGUs of Barcelona and Sta. Magdalena, both from the province of Sorsogon, while the LGUs of San Vicente, Camarines Norte and San Miguel, Catanduanes are the recipients of the ADAC Special Awards for both categories for LGUs.
Caritas Virac Justice and Peace Incorporated received the award for the third ADAC Special Awards category.
All the ADAC awardees were nominated and deliberated upon by the members of the Regional Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs (ROCDD) as the Regional Nomination Committee, particularly the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), and DILG.
Meanwhile, the LTIA also has three categories: the LTIA for 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities, LTIA for 4th to 6th Class Municipalities, and the Independent Component City (ICC).
For the 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities, Barangay Panique, Aroroy, Masbate was hailed as the 2nd Runner-up, while Barangay Bagong Bayan, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte and Barangay Salvacion, Tigaon, Camarines Sur were the 1st Runner-up and the Regional Winner, respectively.
For the 4th to 6th Class Municipalities, Barangay Monserrat, Magarao, Camarines Sur and Barangay Del Carmen, Talisay, Camarines Norte were conferred as 2nd Runner-Up and 1st Runner-Up, respectively, while Barangay Umabay Exterior, Mobo, Masbate was declared the Regional Winner.
Barangay Carolina, Naga City, Camarines Sur was the recipient of the award under the ICC category.
The LTIA awardees, each receiving a plaque of recognition and cash incentives to be allocated for KP programs, were nominated and deliberated upon by the LTIA Regional Awards Committee composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), PNP, DILG, and the Family Multi-Purpose Cooperative as the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) representative.
Also virtually present during the event were Albay Governor and RPOC V Chairperson Al Francis C. Bichara, DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin B. Diño, DILG Undersecretary for External and Legislative Affairs Ricojudge Janvier M. Echiverri, and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Eduardo M Año.
“All of you have courageously responded to the call of service especially at a very challenging and unprecedented time, so you deserve our loudest applauses and deepest appreciation. Today, you are recognized not only for your remarkable work but most importantly, for your depth of sacrifice,” Secretary Año expressed in his speech.
“Naniniwala kaming sa pamamagitan ng Regional Awarding Ceremonies, we are able to showcase that we can rise above the challenges of the pandemic. With all the challenges your faced today, you remained persistent and resolved in sustaining a peaceful, orderly, and safe society, through the efficient implementation of the anti-illegal drug programs, and virtuous discharge of the Katarungang Pambarangay, you were able to sustain peace and order that is an essential element in maintaining economic development, social order, and stability. In this manner, you delivered the message that the government is there to safeguard its people against the menace of illegal drugs and community conflicts,” DILG V Regional Director Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda added.
“Sa ating mga awardees, nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon ang pagkilalang ito, para patuloy sa paglaban para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga mamamayan at para sa ikauunlad ng ating bayan,”RD Nuyda concluded.
All the ADAC Special Awards and LTIA awardees received their respective plaques and prizes on-site on different dates simultaneous with the video shooting for the virtual awarding ceremonies. This is in adherence to the IATF guidelines, prohibiting the conduct of mass gatherings.
