Davao City awarded for its anti- illegal drug campaign

The city received a ‘Highly Functioning’ evaluation for the CADAC’s performance in carrying out its duties and responsibilities in implementing the national government’s anti-illegal drug campaign. 

The award, which was given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was received by CADAC head Mikey Aportadera during the 2022 Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Awards ceremony held at Grand Regal Hotel on Tuesday (June 28).

CADAC program director Ronaldo Rivera told the City Information (CIO) that the awarding body assessed the CADAC’s performance through a number of criteria. 

These include the evaluation of the soundness of the executive order formulating and mandating the council, its functionality, innovation, and formulation and implementation of plans and programs upon which the council garnered a total score of 97.5 out of 100.

He said the city’s ratio of “highly functioning barangays” or barangays that actively implement the national and local campaigns against illegal drugs for the year 2021 had been evaluated to be very satisfactory.

Rivera, however, admitted that there is still work needed to improve the city’s score in the “Drug Clearing” criteria, which refers to the number of barangays deemed free of illegal drugs. 

He said the solution being eyed to address the pervasive presence of illegal drugs is the formulation of preventative programs against illicit drug use. 

Rivera also told CIO the council’s main focus is on delivering the needs of its clients or "the over 6,000 individuals currently registered to the city’s treatment and rehabilitation programs” through various intervention and education programs. 

It also aims to provide former drug dependents with continuing care they need to be fully reintegrated back into society. 

The DILG 11 awarding body is  compose of representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) who evaluated the CADAC’s performance for the year 2021.