Cebu needs over 10T anti-crime volunteers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cebu province is looking for volunteers for the implementation of a community-based program to prevent corruption, illegal drugs and criminality in the barangays.

 Dubbed as Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga or "MASA MASID," DILG provincial director Jerome Gonzales said at least 10,660 volunteers or 10 each barangay in Cebu are needed for the program.

Cebu has 1,066 barangays, excluding Mandaue City (27), Cebu City (80), and Lapu-Lapu City (30).

Gonzales said Cebu will serve as pilot area for the program, which will be launched before the year ends.

MASA MASID is developed to encourage communities to take a proactive stance in the government's fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality.

 Under the program, volunteers will be established in barangays to join in the fight against these three top problems by helping report cases of corruption, drug use and sale and criminality within their areas.

Gonzales said the volunteers will be oriented, for instance, on drug demand reduction through information campaign and drug supply reduction through reporting.

The volunteers, he said, will sign and take a pledge of commitment to report illegal activities in the community.

Gonzales said they want to bring together members of the community as partners in addressing problems on illegal drugs, corruption and criminality. MASA MASID is envisioned to unite different organizations in creating safer and drug-free communities in the country, he added.

"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.

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 wishes to be partners for change.

The circular also explains that existing Ugnayan ng Barangay at ng mga Simbahan  technical working group  in LGUs shall be expanded and shall be chaired by a City or Municipal Local Government Operations Officer, with representatives from a faith-based group, Liga ng Mga Barangay, Philippine National Police, and City or Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

The expanded UBAS TWG shall be responsible for promoting MASA MASID as a mechanism to respond to the needs of their respective LGUs, and shall provide technical assistance to MASA MASID Teams in every barangay.

Barangay MASA MASID Teams will be composed of representatives of faith-based organizations, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, people's organizations, and CSO representative from the Barangay Peace and Order Council at Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

The program is being done in Quezon City and will be replicated in all LGUs in the country. /FPL (FREEMAN)