TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Members of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) of Barangay Balong with its youth sector attended the anti-drug symposium organized by the Tabuk City Police Station (TCPS) on March 7-8.
The program, which was hosted at the barangay hall, aims to strengthen BADAC’s role in addressing drug-related problems in the community, while also preventing kids from becoming victims of illegal drug usage and trade.
BADAC’s function, according to Barangay Chairman Gerry Doctolero, is critical, and it must be successfully implemented as the lead when drug activities occur in the area, affecting all sectors of society, particularly children and youth.
PSMS Alvius Cordero of the TCPS stressed the importance of reminding BADAC members of what else they can do to better execute their jobs in order to address concerns of illicit activities and to prevent kids from being easily tempted when they are faced with different factors such as peer pressure, curiosity, and personal and family problems which sometimes push them to take forbidden substances.
During the symposium, the City Barangay Affairs and Community Relations Office (CBACRO) provided spiritual encouragement in the person of Pastor Leonardo Tayaban and John Ya-os and several themes were covered, including the indigenous basic values of “paniyaw,” “ngilin,” and “bain,” discussed by Maximo Comdang and Orlando Gunday, also from CBACRO.
The activity also allowed participants to listen to the lecture of Bingbing Ligante of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Kalinga and PSMS Cordero who discussed the key aspects of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), traffic education given by PLt. John Macli-ing, and the city’s drug situation from Engr. Mark Duguiang.
Before the activity ended, the Young Peacemakers, a youth-led group dedicated to assisting the barangay in achieving and maintaining peace and order, was established.
