Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. is setting his sights on keeping the momentum of the anti-illegal drugs campaign, the ongoing modernization and capacity-building of the Bureau of Fire Protection and bolstering programs to further capacitate local government units for 2024.

Abalos issued directives as he met with officials and personnel of the DILG, including its regional offices and attached agencies, during the traditional New Year’s Call to the SILG in Camp Crame.

In his State of the Department Address, Abalos highlighted the DILG’s accomplishments in 2023 in the realm of peace and order, public safety, and local governance, all in support of the Marcos administration’s pursuit of a safer, more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Bagong Pilipinas.

He added that the DILG’s flagship Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan Program will remain the driving force of the thrust against illegal drugs after the inaugural year of its nationwide implementation aided the seizure of some P10.41 billion worth of illegal drugs.

The program also led to the arrest of 56,495 drug suspects, establishment of 74 new in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and the declaration of 27,968 barangays as drug-cleared.