Tacloban City – To harness citizen participation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall lead the launching o October 25, 2016 of the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomaliya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga (MASA MASID) program in Tacloban.
DILG-8 Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo disclosed that in Tacloban City, the event being launched in coordination with the Tacloban City Police Office and the city government, shall start at 5:30 AM with a parade joined by barangay residents and other sectors.
From Rizal Park, the march shall traverse the key streets in downtown area before ending at the Tacloban City Convention Center, more popularly known as the Astrodome, where the MASA MASID Launching and Anti Drug Summit will be held.
Dir. Sacendoncillo said MASA MASID will showcase how both local and interior sectors of DILG will mobilize local government units (LGUs) and other sectors in the community for one common goal – the fight against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality.
After the launching activity, the MASA MASID City Technical Working Group (TWG) will form barangay TWGs to help accept potential volunteers who will report on illegal drugs, conduct information drive, and assist in community drug rehabilitation among others.
The Anti-Drug Summit and MASA MASID Launching program will start with prayers from Fr. Ronel Taboso of Santo Niño Parish, Imam Abdulmajid Mauyag and Pastor Hazel Grace Basco, Team Leader of Transformation Inside-Out.
Acting Police City Director SSupt. Rolando Bade will provide the Rationale for the Anti-Drug Summit, while DILG City Director Atty. Darwin Bibar will give on overview of the MASA MASID Program.
Messages will come from Mrs. Caroline Lee-Andrade, representing the Business Sector; DILG-8 Regional Director Sacendoncillo; PRO-8 Regional Director Chief Supt. Elmer C. Beltejar and City Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez.
The summit and launching will end with the signing of the Wall of Commitment from all participants.
MASA MASID was conceptualized by DILG Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno as a volunteerism program to persuade people to rise up against those supplying illegal drugs, reduce the demand for it, and encourage public participation in the community based rehabilitation of drug dependents. Elsewhere in Eastern Visayas, MASA MASID has been launched in Samar and Southern Leyte. Municipal launching activities are likewise being held to further push the campaign in the grassroots. ###
