DILG nearing target: 9,260 volunteer in Cebu for Masa Masid program

CEBU, Philippines - Exactly a month today after the Masa Masid program was launched, the Department of Interior and Local Government-Cebu province has gathered 9,260 out of its 10, 660 target volunteers all over the province to help fight drugs, crime and corruption through reporting.

The DILG launched the "Masa Masid" program last November 9 in Mandaue City.

Dann Marr Andrino, DILG-Cebu focal person on anti-drugs, said 926 barangays, as of December 2, have already submitted their lists of volunteers.

At least 10,660 volunteers or 10 each barangay in Cebu are needed for the program. There are 1,066 barangays in the province, excluding those in Mandaue City (27), Cebu City (80), and Lapu-Lapu City (30).

According to Adrino, several towns have already launched the program. The very recent was Tabogon town in northern Cebu where over a hundred volunteers, barangay captains, faith-based organization leaders, teachers and students pledged to support the program.

Adrino said their objective is to meet the target before the year ends so they can start the orientation by January.

"Sa Region 7, per our RD's instruction, dapat before the year ends naa na jud complete set of volunteers so that by next year, orientation na lang," he said.

Adrino is positive that they can recruit the remaining 1,400 volunteers within this month.

Once completed, he said their field officers will conduct the orientation in each local government unit.

The orientation, he said, will focus on the roles and functions of the Masa Masid teams.

"After sa orientation, hopefully ma-internalize nila ila roles," he said, adding that the volunteers will be convened by their respective teams headed by the Ugnayan ng Barangay at ng mga Simbahan technical working group.

 DILG provincial director Jerome Gonzales said earlier that volunteers will be oriented, for instance, on drug demand reduction through information campaign and drug supply reduction through reporting.

 Gonzales said they want to bring together members of the community as partners and Masa Masid is envisioned to unite different organizations in creating safer and drug-free communities.

 "The program stresses the importance of multi-sectoral linkages in communities in combatting the spread of illegal drugs, as well as corruption and criminality," he said.

The program was developed to encourage communities to take a proactive stance in the government's fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality.

Under DILG Memorandum Circular 2016-116, the program has four main thrusts: information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revive the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for change. (FREEMAN)