With the filing of candidacy starting tomorrow (April 14, 2018), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Ano is urging aspiring barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates who are involved in illegal drugs to desist from running in the coming May 14, 2018 polls.
“Do your country a favor. Do not even consider the thought of filing your certificate of candidacy for any position in the coming barangay and SK elections,” says Ano.
“Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes. Not under the watch of President Duterte. Not under my watch in the DILG,” he adds.
The filing of certificates of candidacy starts tomorrow, April 14, 2018 until April 20, 2018.
Ano underscores the importance of electing barangay officials who have no involvement in illegal drugs because they will head the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) in their respective localities.
He says one of the responsibilities of the BADAC is to plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in the barangay as well as to organize and orient BADAC Auxiliary Teams on their roles and functions and in formulating plan of action to address the problem.
“How can one have the moral authority to spearhead the drive against illegal drugs in their barangays if they themselves are tagged as protectors, financiers or users?” he says.
The DILG Chief also says BADACs are also expected to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions like the PNP and the municipal or city government in implementing programs and projects on drug abuse prevention at the barangay level.
Matino, mahusay, maaasahan
DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya urges the public to support the DILG’s campaign for “Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahang” Barangay and SK Officials to encourage the public to vote for good leaders in the May polls.
Malaya says that the DILG has come up with a guide which is a checklist of traits that they should look for in choosing their would-be barangay and SKcandidates whether they are matino, mahusay, at maaasahan.
A Barangay and SK official who is “Matino” exhibits the following traits: hindi “corrupt” at lumalaban sa katiwalian; lumaban at lumalaban sa iligal na droga; tapat sa serbisyo at bukas sa publiko; magaling at may disiplina; and walang kaugnayan sa masasamang tao or grupo.
For a ‘Mahusay’ candidate – may platapormang pangkaunlaran at pangkapayapaan; huwaran at modelo ng kanyang mga kabarangay; sumusunod sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan at ng komunidad; maayos makitungo sa mga kabarangay; and may patas na pagtingin sa iba’t ibang problema sa barangay.
While for a ‘Maaasahan’ candidate DILG identifies the following: maalam at may kakayahan sa pagpaplano; alistong tumutulong sa panahon ng sakuna; nagmamalasakit sa kapwa; madaling malapitan sa oras ng pangangailangan; and subok sa pagtulong sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan.
