DDB cites Mayor Fernandez, police chief
OUTSTANDING ANTI-DRUG FIGTHERS
IN a city crawling with illegal drug dealers, the mayor and the police chief are hard at work in their campaign to fight the social menace.
And the efforts of Dagupan Mayor Belen T. Fernandez and Superintendent Christopher Abrahano have not gone unnoticed by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), an agency under the Office of the President, recognizing them for their commitment and support to the anti-drug campaign of the government.
The two, along with other awardees around the country, were honored by top officials of the DDB led by its chairman, Secretary Antonio Villar Jr., during its 41st Anniversary last November 22.
Villar, in his speech, said Fernandez was a unanimous choice for the award being an active, efficient and tireless fighter against illegal drugs.
Fernandez, who received a similar award from the DDB when she was still vice mayor of Dagupan, is recognized particularly for sustaining the Barkada Kontra Droga, a program directed towards the youth, and other related campaigns.
When she was elected mayor this year, she also immediately re-organized the Anti-Drug Abuse Council to strengthen ties among various public and private groups.
“To receive such award twice means a lot to me and it inspires me to work harder and outperform my accomplishments in the past,” Fernandez said.
IN THE BARANGAYS
Abrahano, for his part, said he knew that upon assuming his post as officer-in-charge of the Dagupan Police on January 11, 2013, one of his priorities would be addressing the illegal drug problem.
Abrahano, who used to work in the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said to maintain peace and security in the city, he is bringing the fight against drugs right at the doorsteps of pushers in the barangays, with focus on three fronts: Supply and Demand Reduction, Barangay Clearing Operations, and Fostering Community Partnership.
Abrahano said the renewed fight against drugs in Dagupan City is a manifestation of the renewed partnership among the local government units, non- government organizations, national government agencies, community and the police in addressing and combating drug activities in the city.
OTHER AWARDEES
Meanwhile, Bayambang National High School – Division of Pangasinan 1 won in the Nationwide Search for Outstanding Barkada Kontra Droga (School Chapter) and went home with a P40,000 prize and plaque of appreciation.
The other awardees were Police Chief Inspector Victor Drapete, P/Inspector Alberto Fabregas, Martin Infante, Dr. Ma. Teresa Iňigo, Florida Labuguen, Atty. Lucito Tan, Reynaldo Maxlito Umali, Col. Gerardo Zamudio Jr.
Other groups cited included Bureau of Corrections, dwBR 104.3 FM, Lions Club International through District Gov. Lion Benilda Cuerpo, Navotas LGU, Metro Manila Development Authority, Pasay City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, PNP-AIDSOTF, Outpatient and After Care Center for Drug Dependents and Quezon City Anti-Drug Advisory Council.
The program’s guest of honor, Rep. Vicente Belmonte of the Lone District of Iligan, chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, lauded the awardees and rallied them to continue with the education campaign against illegal drugs.
AWARENESS WEEK
In line with the observance of the annual Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week last week, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan held the “Padyak Kontra Droga” on November 19 .
A seminar was also conducted for newly-elected barangay chairmen on November 20 to reinforce their role in the prevention and control of drug dependency in their communities.
On November 22, the city government led a rally dubbed “S.A.D. (Smoking, Alcohol and Drug)-Free Dagupan” at the city plaza, participated in by students and teachers from public and private schools.–with reports from Eva Visperas, PIA1-Pangasinan, CIO
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