On April 4, 2022, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Region holds the 2022 Regional Awarding Ceremony of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit for two Calendar Years, 2019 and 2020 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, Butuan City. This is the first onsite awarding activity of DILG Caraga after two years of COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Today’s event serves as a milestone for all of us. Considering the existing threats of COVID-19; yet we are able to hold a face-to-face activity”, DILG Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, CESO III said during the delivery of her solidarity message to all the attendees. “The activity not only aims to recognize the best performing ADACs but also aims to heighten the awareness of the community on the unified campaign and efforts of the government in the war against illegal drugs. It is one form of advocacy that strengthens the Anti-Drug Abuse Councils of the LGUs, as well as widens the support and participation of the community” she added.

The activity recognizes the provincial, city and municipal anti-drug abuse councils (ADACs) of different local government units (LGUs) of Caraga Region that obtained 85 to 100 performance score or High Functionality adjectival rating in the ADAC Performance Audit and attained at least 75 points in the National Assessment for the ADAC Performance Award for Calendar Years 2019 and 2020. There are a total of 27 Awardee ADACs for 2019, while for 2020, there are a total of 35 Awardee ADACs in the region.

DILG Caraga Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, Assistant Regional Director Donald A. Seronay and LGMED Chief Ray Gregory F. Jaranilla handed over the ADAC Markers to the provincial governors, city and municipal mayors as an award symbol for the excellent achievement of their ADACs, while their respective DILG City and Provincial Directors, and City/Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (C/MLGOOs) also conferred with certificates of commendation for their exemplary performance and technical assistance rendered to the Awardee ADACs. Member agencies and civil society organizations (CSOs) of the ADAC Regional Audit Team are also recognized and conferred with certificates of appreciation in recognition of their invaluable support and inputs that contributed to the success of the ADAC Audits.

In her speech, RD Famacion encouraged all the ADACs in the region to be more active, functional, vigilant and innovative. She hope they will pass the ADAC Audits in the coming years and achieve the recognition that is due to them.  She also thank the partner agencies and civil society organizations at the regional and local levels for making the ADAC Performance Audit a success all throughout the region despite the challenges brought by the Pandemic. “Your participation and support means a lot to this endeavor”, she said.

On the other hand, the provincial governors and their representative give their response messages and words of gratitude for the recognition they received. Honorable Santiago B. Cane, Jr., the Provincial Governor and Chairperson of the PADAC of Agusan del Sur said that the Province of Agusan del Sur together with its component city and municipalities will support the DILG and the government in the war against illegal drugs. He also give his admiration and gratitude to the DILG for conducting such activity.

By and large, the awarding ceremony concluded with a message of inspiration and support from PDEA Caraga Assistant Regional Director Mary Leslie Sharon D. Maquilang, and photo opportunities of all the awardees and the award giving body.

By: LGOO VI Jason Ryan R. Lam, DM