Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. on Saturday told punong barangays (village chiefs) to discussand support with their constituents the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan Program in this year’s Barangay Assembly Day scheduled this month.

Abalos said the barangay assembly is good opportune time to explain to communities the importance of cooperation among village officials, the local government and government agencies in bringing services to the people. The BIDA Program, he said is also good common denominator between local officials and other stakeholders working together in eradicating the menace of illegal drugs and giving rehabilitation to its victims.

“Let’s take advantage of the Barangay Assembly to encourage grassroots support for the BIDA Program,” Abalos said.

The DILG secretary pointed out that there is now a great clamor in fighting illegal drugs through ccampaigns like the BIDA Fun Run and the Serbisyo Caravan held last 27 February  at the Mall of Asia, in Pasay City which was attended by around 16,245 BIDA advocates and the over 10,000 individuals who joined the fun run in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Abalos said that through Memorandum Circular No. 2023-032, punong barangays are mandated to hold a Barangay Assembly Day based on Local Government Code and Proclamation No. 599, series of 2018 that it should be conducted every March and October of the year, either on Saturday or Sunday.

The theme for the first semester of March is B-BIDA KA! Barangay BIDA Ka sa Pagpapatupad ng Kapayapaan, Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan, at Pagpapaigting ng Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Isang Ligtas, Mapayapa, Maunlad at Masaganang Pamayanan.”

He reminded village chiefs to tackle the initiatives of their barangay and support the DILG programs such as tree planting activity, accreditation of barangay based civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, kasambahay registration, Barangay Road Clearing Operations, Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay sa Barangay Project among others.

Aside from these, Abalos said it should be followed by the State of Barangay Address by the village chiefs, stating their accomplishment and financial report for the year 2022 as well as their plans and programs for 2023; the state of SK funds, Covid-19 measures and other issues besetting their barangay.

Abalos added that the barangay assembly may be held in a face-to-face or blended mode (face-to-face with online mode) with the voluntary wearing of mask in open spaces, and observed minimum public health standards for all the attendees.