R1 leagues, CSOs pledge support for MASA MASID

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB), National Government Agencies (NGAs) and a number of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Region 1 expressed their support to the implementation of the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (MASA MASID) during the program’s Regional Launch last October 25, 2016 at the DILG Regional Office 1, City of San Fernando, La Union.

“I do believe that this (MASA MASID) will save everybody for a better Philippines,” said Mayor Erdio Valenzuela, LMP Ilocos Norte Chapter President. Representatives from the four provincial
governments attended the activity along with representatives from the four provincial chapters of the LMP, LnB, CSOs and faith-based organizations operating in the region.

In her message, Regional Director Julie J. Daquioag emphasized the need for every sector of the society to actively participate in the program. “All of us have roles in this program because peace and order is everybody’s business,” she said. Partners from the different national government agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) also attended the MASA MASID regional launch.

Officials and employees present were stunned as PSSUPT Jose Briones of the PNP presented the statistics on drug users, drug pushers and surrenderers. “Ang mga ito ang pumipigil sa atin tungo sa magandang buhay. Noon, hindi natin nakikita ang problema. Ngayon, we are face to face with the problem,” LMP Pangasinan Chapter President Mayor Silverio Alarcio, Jr. said, responding to the volume of R1 leagues, CSOs pledge support for MASA MASID surrenderers and arrests in the region for the last four months.

The Local Chief Executive expressed his thankfulness to the President for paving the way for programs such as MASA MASID. “Magpasalamat tayo sa ating Pangulo dahil nakita niya
ang paraan para tayo ay sumulong sa magandang buhay. Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Pangulo dahil nakikita natin ang problema,” he said.

Mayor Alarcio also urged the body to respond to the call of the program. “Tayong mamamayan ang sisisihin kung di natin masolusyunan ang problema kasi kitang-kita na natin
kapitbahay mo, kamag-anak mo, magulang mo, anak mo, kaibigan mo. In short, mas madali na dapat para sa atin ang resulbahin ang problema. Hikayatin natin ang ating mga mamamayan. Sana hindi na natin pakakawalan itong oportunidad na ito.”

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, representing Gov. Amado Espino, III, also expressed the provincial government’s support for the program. “Ang amin pong commitment ay hindi lamang po kay Secretary (Sueno), hindi lamang po sa PDEA at hindi lamang po sa Presidente. Kundi we are committing to this mandate dahil gusto po namin ng magandang
kinabukasan para sa lahat po ng aming constituents,” he said.

Also present during the activity were representatives from faith-based organizations who showed eagerness to support the program. “Wala pong iwanan dito. Lahat po kami ay susuporta sa
MASA MASID. Hindi lang po kami sasama. Mag-iingay po kami. Sabi nga po ni Secretary (Sueno), lahat ng tao ay mag-ingay o makialam. Ito po ang pag- asa natin,” said Rev. Joven B. Legaspi of the Yeshua Change Agent. The MASA MASID is a barangay-based anti-criminality, anti-corruption and anti-illegal drugs program which encourages multi-sectoral partnership to
intensify the spirit of volunteerism at the community level. It aims to heighten community involvement by mobilizing the support of local stakeholders, volunteers, civic organizations, faith-based organizations and the private sectors in the fight against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption. (LGOO V Sheila Marie G. Andales with reports from LGMED)