STA. CRUZ, Zambales — Close to 500 barangay officials from all over the province trooped to the Oct. 8 Synchronized Barangay Assembly here at Barangay Biay, the provincial showcase barangay for Zambales.

The event was organized by the provincial office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the theme “Nagkakaisang Barangay: Lakas ng Kampanya Kontra sa Iligal na Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian, Makiisa! Makilahok! Makialam!”

Biay barangay chairman Samuel Marila delivered his State of Barangay Address in the said event, citing their accomplishments for the first semester of 2017 in the areas of peace and order, health, education, disaster preparedness, environment, and financial matters of the barangay.

Marila also emphasized their intensified campaign against illegal drugs. This was undertaken through the establishment of a Barangay Referral Desk, installation of a dropbox inside the barangay hall, and the creation of a “Masa-Masid” team and the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) Committee on Operation and Advocacy.

He also urged residents to actively participate in barangay programs and activities.

Meanwhile, LGOO III Christian Red D. Mejia conveyed the message of DILG OIC-Secretary Catalino S. Cuy to the barangays.

“Susi sa adhikain ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte ang isang bansang mapayapa na may pagkakaisa ng mga barangay at may ibayong kooperasyon ng mga mama-mayan,” Cuy said in his message.

The local police and fire departments also discussed a community-based rehabilitation program for victims of human trafficking and techniques on the prevention and suppression of fire incidences. – DILG-Zambales