Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada will reward the first barangay in the city that could rid itself of the influence of illegal drugs, in his quest to make Manila the first ever “drug-free” city in the country.
Estrada said he thought of launching a competition among the city’s 896 barangays to kick-start his administration’s goal of earning the title of the Philippines’ first-ever certified drug-free local government unit.
“To achieve our vision, we should start, of course, with the barangays,” Estrada said, in a meeting with a group of barangay chairmen at his office. “We will have a contest, and a reward will be given to the first drug-free barangay.”
“What I want, before I retire from public service, is to make the City of Manila the first ever drug-free city in the Philippines,” Estrada stressed.
Underscoring the importance of the barangays’ support, Estrada said no anti-illegal drive will ever be successful without the backing of the community.
Turning to the barangay chairmen, he admitted that neither the city government nor the local police could do much if the barangay officials are uncooperative.
“Let’s work together. The city hall and police cannot do it alone. All must help out, especially the barangay officials,” he told the barangay chairmen.
The contest is part of the Manila Barangay Awards 2017, which the city government is launching as part of the weeklong celebration of the 446th Araw ng Maynila on June 24, according to Arsenic Lacson, head of the Manila Barangay Bureau.
Lacson said the “Search for the Most Outstanding Barangays” aims to challenge the barangays in presenting their outstanding performances and achievements in terms of Barangay Administration and Governance and showcasing their best practices on the following issues: Peace and order and anti-illegal drugs, environmental management, health and sanitation, social protection, and disaster risk reduction and management.
One barangay per district will be chosen as winners and will be receiving P50,000 cash prize and a glass trophy, he added.
The MBB Awards Selection Committee is composed of the representatives from the Manila Police Department, Department of Public Services, Manila Health Department, Manila Department of Social Welfare, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and DILG-Manila.