THE conduct of the community-based rehabilitation program (CBRP) for confessed slightly-affected drug dependents by local government units under the Masa Masid program has taken roots in Pangasinan.

This was bared by Rhealiza de lo Santos, Local Government Operations Officer of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), during the KBP Forum on Thursday even as clarified the program is now the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH).

Masa Masid, originally a flagship program of DILG, stands for Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayan Ayaw sa Illegal na Droga, is a multi-sectoral and mass-based organization with volunteers from the barangay level.

DOH also oversees the rehabilitation of severely affected drug dependents endorsed to drug rehabilitation centers as in-patients, while the moderately affected are treated as outpatients of the same.

Masa Masid was organized to address the priorities of the Duterte administration – to fight graft and corruption, eliminate illegal drugs and improve peace and order in the barangays.

Added to the priorities of Masa Masid, is the fight against violence and extremism, De los Santos added.

She said Masa Masid seeks to encourage communities to get involved through a multi-sectoral and mass-based approach, giving premium to the partnership between the private sector and the government.

She pointed out that a Masa Masid technical working group exists at the municipal level and its implementing arm in every barangay is a Masa Masid team composed of 10 trained members.

The steering committee of Masa Masid is headed by the mayor.

In Pangasinan, composed of 48 towns and cities, there are 12 Masa Masid facilitators, each one handling four towns.

An advocacy and education campaign as well as trainings and seminars are now going in earnest in every barangays for members of Masa Masid volunteers, she added. (Leonardo Micua)

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