DSA holds capability enhancement training for tri-groups

CAPACITATE --- PDEA-ARMM Regional Director Juvenal Azurin (standing left) gave a lecture to  participants in the two-day Capability Enhancement Training for  members of MADAC, BADAC, and BPAT  held at the Gender and Development Center last February 20-21. (Gilmhar A. Lao with photo by Anne Acosta)

DATU SAUDI AMPATUAN, Maguindanao--- This municipal government spearheaded recently a two-day capability enhancement training for members of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).

Juvenal Azurin, regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), discussed on the roles and functions of the MADAC and BADAC, dangerous drugs identification and its effects, salient provision of RA 9165, drug courier problem in the Philippines, how to detect clandestine laboratories, and the barangay drug clearing operation.

“It is important to keep everyone reminded of their duties and responsibilities, most especially in the barangay level,” Azurin said.

Monina P. Guialudin, Municipal Local Government Operations officer of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, lectured on the functions of the BPATs as well as their role the Barangay Justice System.

“This serves as a good avenue for them to deeply understand their roles and functions,” Guialudin said.

Mayor Bai Anida Dimaukom said that aside from the topics mentioned, basic life-saving procedure (first aid) and the BPAT’s role in disaster preparedness and response were discussed with the participants during the event.

“In addition, we also tackled about basic information on federalism,” Mayor Dimaukom said.(GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)