DILG files raps vs village execs who failed to set up anti-drug councils

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has formally filed administrative charges against barangay (village) officials who failed to set up anti-drug councils in their areas.

Interior Usec. Martin Diño and Asst. Sec. Ricojudge Janver Echiverri on Monday filed administrative complaints before the Ombudsman against officials of five barangays for failing to create the barangay anti-drug abuse council (Badac) for the past five years.

The complaints were filed against barangay captains of five Manila barangays, including: 471, 477, 482, 659-A, and 690.

Once found guilty of dereliction of duty, officials could be preventively suspended by the Ombudsman, the assistant secretary said.

Eleven more barangay officials—10 from Aroroy, Masbate and one from Gubat, Sorsogon—would be charged on Friday, Echiverri said.

He said the officials would be facing charges in violation of the Comprehensive Anti-Illegal Drugs Act, which compels village executives to form the Badac.

In a press briefing early Monday, Interior Officer-in-Charge Sec. Eduardo Año said the barangay officials had failed to set up the council despite several orders and warnings from the DILG.

“We want to send a strong message to the barangay on their important role in the anti-illegal drug campaign,” Año said in a press briefing at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headquarters in Quezon City.

He explained that the Badac plays a huge role in the government’s fight against illegal drugs as it serves as the government’s primary body at the grassroots level.

“[Para] magkaroon ka ng consolidated effort to fight crime involving community, private sector, residents, and barangay officials. Ganyan kaimportante siya,” Año said.

(So that you can have a consolidated effort to fight crime involving community, private sector, residents, and barangay officials. That’s how important it is.)

“Kung wala ka niyan, what’s the problem with you?” he added.

(If you don’t have it, what is wrong with you?)

The move came two weeks before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections that will be held on May 14. /je

READ: DILG to charge barangay execs for failing to fight drugs