12,600 barangay anti-drug councils not working – PDEA

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino. INQUIRER.NET / NOY MORCOSO

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday said 30 percent of the country’s 42,000 Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) were not functioning and were failing to identify drug personalities in their communities.

“Thirty percent nung 42,000 barangays na yun ay hindi activated yung BADAC, at kung activated man ay non-functional. Doon kami nagkakaroon ng problema,” said PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, referring to about 12,600 neighborhood anti-drug councils.

Talking to Radyo Inquirer 990AM, the PDEA official underscored the importance of the councils, which help identify drug personalities in a locality.

“Diyan natin kinukuha ang mga watchlist natin. May sariling watchlist ang barangay. May sariling watchlist din ang kapulisan,” he said.

“Dapat ma-intergrate yun at magkaroon lang ng isang watchlist. So, malaki ang magiging role ng council na ito para makatulong sa kapulisan at PDEA,” Aquino added.

“How can we clear barangays kung hindi activated ang mga BADAC nila?” he said. “Dapat i-activate natin ito at gawing functional.” /cbb