ARMM launches MASA MASID

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION --- ARMM Governor Mujiv S. Hataman appealed for public support to the newest community-based program for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs and criminality, the “MamamayangAyawsaAnomalya, MamamayangAyaw sa IlegalnaDroga” or MASA MASID programduring a regional launching last February 21, 2017held at ShariffKabunsuan Cultural Complex, ORG Compound in Cotabato City. (GILMHAR A. LAO- MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY– The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is bound to strengthen the implementation of the newest community-based program for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality with the regional launching of “MamamayangAyaw sa Anomalya, MamamayangAyaw sa IlegalnaDroga” or MASA MASID program last February 21at the ShariffKabunsuan Cultural Complex, ORG Compound in this city.

Atty. Noor Hafizullah Abdullah, DILG-ARMM Secretary, said the program seeks to enlist the involvement of communities in taking action against all forms of irregularities and illegal activities, especially drug abuse.

“MASA MASID is a collaborative effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP), provincial and local government officials, barangay leaders, religious sectors, civil society groups, and non-government organizations,” he said

ARMM Governor MujivS. Hataman said the MASA MASID intends to unite different organizations in creating safer and drug-free communities in the country.

“We would want to take a pro-active stance and strengthen the participation of everybody in the government’s fight against corruption and illegal drugs,” said Hataman.

MASA MASID is designed to enhance the conduct of advocacy and education campaigns, information gathering, and reporting to reduce the supply and demand of illegal drugs and the inducement of community-based rehabilitation program to address the need for interventions of the surrendering drug personalities.

With such strategy, the barangay governments can get immediate action from the people in the barangays since the program intends to heighten community involvement and mobilizing the support of the stakeholders, volunteers, civic organization, faith-based organizations, and the private sector.

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

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.

The circular mandates the expansion of existing UBAS Technical Working Groups in LGUs to be chaired by a City or Municipal Local Government Operations Officer with representatives from a faith-based group, Liga ng mga Barangay, PNP, and City or Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Senior Superintendent Agustin J. Tello, director of the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office, said the move of the DILG-ARMM is a great help in the fight against illegal activities.

“We commend the DILG-ARMM and the fullest implementation of the program,” he said.

Senior Superintendent Oscar D. Nantes, director of the Lanaodel Sur Provincial Police Office, said they are going to intensify the campaign within their area of jurisdiction.

“I only assumed recently the post as chief of Lanaodel Sur PPO, but rest assured we are going strengthen the campaign of President Rodrigo R. Duterte against illegal activities,” he said.

The expanded UBAS Technical Working Group shall be responsible in promoting MASA MASID as a mechanism to respond to the needs of their respective LGUs and shall provide technical assistance to the program’s teams in every village.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)