Sueno commends faith-based groups' efforts vs

illegal drugs
November 2, 2016

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Mike D. Sueno has lauded the different faith-
based groups all over the Philippines for their best practices in line with the anti-illegal drug
campaign of the national government.

I have seen how effective our faith-based groups are, including the volunteers. They started
their own initiatives in rehabilitating our drug dependents even without government help, said
Sueno during his message at the Faith-Based Summit on Drug Recovery Program at the DILG-
Napolcom Center in Quezon City recently.

We in the government will work shoulder to shoulder with them to help our less fortunate
brothers and sisters who have gone astray and who want to mend their ways, he added.

Meanwhile, Reverend Father Tony Labiao, as one of the heads of the community rehabilitation
on drugs, said that the summit is imperative because it highlights the key role of faith-based
groups in the anti-illegal drug campaign.

This summit is very timely because we need the involvement of as many groups as possible in
the drug rehabilitation efforts. This is also a perfect opportunity for us to share our best practices,
to network, and to coordinate our efforts throughout the country, Labiao said.

In this way, we can enrich each other, we can reinforce the work of each other and hopefully,
we can get more people to be involved kasi sa dami ng mga nangangailangan, kailangan din
natin ng mga maraming providers. Itong summit is a coming together of all these service
providers na faith-based na makakatulong sa pagde-deliver ng mga services na kailangan ng mga
drug dependents, he added.

Twenty-four (24) faith-based groups, as members of the drug rehabilitation program, pledged
their commitment in providing service to the victims of illegal drugs and their 100% support to
the drug rehabilitation program.

We believe that by helping people, we can also help our country, one of the faith-based groups
said.

Faith-based groups present at the summit were Diocese of Novaliches, La Colcha Hospitaller
Center for Pastoral Care, Saint John of God Center, King of Zion International Foundation,
Pangarap Foundation, Center for Family Ministries, among others.

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Sueno: MASA MASID volunteers to be subjected
to background checking
October 18, 2016

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno today clarified that not everyone
who wants to join the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal
na Droga (MASA MASID) can participate in the program.

Secretary Sueno said while MASA MASID promotes shared responsibility between the
government and its citizenry through their participation in ensuring public peace and
order, participants will be subjected to rigorous background checking.

We have to make sure they are not in any way connected to illegal drugs activity before
we allow them to take part in the community-based campaign against illegal drugs trade,
Sueno said.

He added: We dont want to put our men in bad light or be accused of falsifying
information. We want to give the highest credibility possible in every anti-illegal drugs
operation that we will be conducting in the future with the help of MASA MASID.

One of the responsibilities of MASA MASID volunteers is to report to authorities

incidences of criminality, corruption, and illegal drug trade in their communities.

However, he said those who will be volunteering information to barangays will have to
do it discreetly in order not to endanger their lives.

Sueno said the more 700,000 drug surrenderers who voluntarily submitted themselves to
the police authorities speak well of the national governments intensified campaign
against illegal drugs.

If it were not for the initiatives of President Duterte, the surrender of the more than
700,000 drug dependents who have submitted themselves for rehabilitation will not be
possible. It might take 10 to 15 years or even longer to gather such a big number, Sueno
said.

_________________

Sueno to local execs: Support key DILG programs

vs illegal drugs, corruption, criminality
October 5, 2016

Secretary Ismael Sueno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has
rallied local chief executives to support the Departments programs that will help bring down
illegal drugs, corruption and criminality in the country.

Sueno issued the call to local chief executives from Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera

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Administrative Region (CAR) in the third of the series of dialogues called Sulong Pilipinas held
Monday at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

Sulong Pilipinas served as a venue for all the key leaders in the provinces to discuss and craft
action plans to improve the peace and order situation in their respective areas.

Participants included provincial governors and vice-governors, city and municipal mayors,
provincial presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay, and regional and provincial directors of the
DILG and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Among the programs the Secretary listed include the following: Launching of 911 as the new
national emergency hotline; Streamlining of Business Permits and Licensing System, which
aims to put an end to the traditional long lines when obtaining permits and licenses, as well as
to cut the red tape; Public-Private Partnership for the People (P4), intended to bring
infrastructure projects funded by private entities in a tie up with government units not only in the
National Capital Region but also in other areas of the country particularly in the provinces; Seal
of Good Local Governance, which is expected to increase LGU participation and awards by
2017; MASA-MASID or the Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na
Droga, which aims to strengthen the governments resolve to eradicate drugs, corruption and
criminality in three to six months.

Other programs like the Task Force Agila will spearhead the investigation and validation of the
names of the local chief executives and other personalities that were earlier called out and soon
will be named by President Duterte; Promotion and adoption of best practices not only in
the level of the local government but also in other attached agencies of the Department;
Completion and implementation of all pending LGU projects such as the Salintubig which
was given P1.7 billion allocation for next year; and the information drive on Federalism.

Sueno explained that through his MASA-MASID, the public can volunteer by reporting to the
DILG any information about illegal drugs, corruption committed by public officials and criminality.

By means of reporting the irregularity or criminality that you have witnessed, you also help in
governing your locality, he said, as he admitted that MASA-MASIDs lifeline is the wide support
extended by volunteers from all walks of life like what he saw first-hand in Kuala Lumpur.

Yesterday, the fourth Sulong Pilipinas dialogue was graced by President Duterte as guest of
honor and was participated in by local chief executives from Regions IVA, IVB, V and the
National Capital Region and other government partners to unify government actions on peace
and order and the social development agenda.

______________________________________

Sueno: Be not afraid to volunteer for MASA

MASID
September 28, 2016

People should not fear volunteering in the MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa
Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga) program. It will not be known who
reports what. Reports will be validated and the validation will be fast since it is barangay-
based, said Secretary Ismael D. Sueno of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG).

Let the barangay rise up against infiltration of drugs and criminality and from being
pulled to poverty because of corruption, added Sueno.

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The MASA MASID program of the DILG, launched today, is a community-based
initiative to engage volunteers in the fight against criminality, corruption, and illegal
drugs. It is multi-sectoral and mass-based.

He said that capacity development on reporting system will be done together with MASA
MASID orientation programs to be conducted in the succeeding weeks at the regional,
provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels.

Sueno said MASA MASID Teams will be tasked to conduct advocacy and education
campaigns as well as information gathering and reporting.

The team shall also coordinate the support of local experts and practitioners to volunteer
in the Community Rehabilitation Network (CRN) which handles the community-based
rehabilitation program for the holistic recovery of drug dependents.

During the launch of the MASA MASID program, Sueno read the message of President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is in Vietnam for official matters.

Part of the Presidential message reads, The administration has allocated an ample
portion of annual budget for anti-illegal drugs and anti-corruption initiatives, one of
which is the MASA MASID program that provides platform for people to be involved
I trust that the MASA MASID program will be an effective mechanism to transform our
kababayans into significant agents of public change.

Various sectors expressed their support to the MASA MASID program. Among those
who attended the launching in SB Park, Batasan Hills, Quezon City are faith-based
groups, barangay officials from Visayas and Mindanao, National Youth Commission
(NYC), Liga ng Mga Barangay heads from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and others.

Organizing MASA MASID teams

The Department encourages the active participation of faith-based groups, non-

government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), peoples
organizations (POs), and other organizations, to intensify the spirit of volunteerism for
this campaign.

The DILG and PNP are part of the expanded Technical Working Group (TWG) of the
Ugnayan ng Barangay at mga Simbahan or UBAS in cities and municipalities in the
country together with faith-based groups, Liga ng Barangay (LnB), and city or municipal
Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

The UBAS TWGs in towns and cities act as social facilitators. They will convene,
organize, mobilize and train MASA MASID Teams (MMTs) per barangay and monitor
activities.

Meanwhile, the MMTs shall be the main implementing arm of the program at the
barangay level.

MMTs will be composed of faith-based organizations, CSOs and NGOs that are members
of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and Barangay Peace and Order
Council (BPOC), as well as other community volunteers.

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Makers of shabu warned

In his speech, Sueno said, Sa lahat ng gumagawa ng shabu, mag-ingat kayo dahil
marami kaming paraan mapasok mga establisimyento niyo.

This is after the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) helped discover one of the biggest shabu
laboratories in the country at Barangay Lacquios in Arayat, Pampanga which is said to
produce 400 kilograms of shabu per day.

__________________________

MASA MASID: Uniting communities against

illegal drugs
September 28, 2016

The Department of the Interior and Local Government launched today a community-
based program for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs and criminality in
barangays.

Entitled Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga or

MASA MASID, the program aims to encourage communities to take a proactive stance
in the governments fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and criminality.

DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno stated that the program is expected to bring together
members of the community against illegal drugs.

"We believe that peace and order is a shared responsibility of all Filipinos. Through the
MASA MASID program, citizens and other concerned sectors can help the government
in its campaign to rid the country of crime and illegal drugs," said Sueno.

MASA MASID is envisioned to unite different organizations in creating safer and drug-
free communities in the country. Taking off from UBAS, which brought together
barangay officials and religious groups for programs on good governance and community
development, MASA MASID stresses the importance of multi-sectoral linkages in
communities in combatting the spread of illegal drugs, as well as corruption and
criminality.

Under DILG Memorandum Circular 2016-116, the program has four main thrusts:
information and education campaign in communities for government programs against
corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal
drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and
revive the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for
organizations that wishes to be partners for change.

The said circular also explains that existing UBAS Technical Working Groups in LGUs
shall be expanded and shall be chaired by a City or Municipal Local Government
Operations Officer, with representatives from a faith-based group, Liga ng Mga
Barangay, PNP, and City or Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC/MADAC).

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The expanded UBAS TWG shall be responsible for promoting MASA MASID as a
mechanism to respond to the needs of their respective LGUs, and shall provide technical
assistance to MASA MASID Teams in every barangay.

Barangay MASA MASID Teams will be composed of representatives of faith-based

organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-government organizations
(NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), and CSO representative from the Barangay Peace
and Order Council (BPOC) at Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin pointed out that the role of
communities cannot be undermined in the fight against illegal drugs.

It is an honor for the National Capital Region to be chosen for the launch of the MASA
MASID. The program is a reminder of bayanihan, which is innate among us Filipinos. It
is high time that we, as community members be proactive in creating a drug-free country
for our youth, a vision which President Duterte strongly shares with us, she stated.

Invited guests include Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr., Philippine National
Police Chief Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa, Bishop Antonio Tobias of the Diocese of
Novaliches, National Youth Commission Undersecretary Aiza Seguerra, Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro La Pena, Liga ng Mga Barangay National
President Atty. Edmund Abesamis, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor
Joy Belmonte.

MASA MASID will be replicated in all LGUs in the country.

___________________________________

Sueno rallies POs, CSOs, barangays in reliving

bayanihan thru MASA-MASID
September 19, 2016

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno has called on all barangay leaders
including civic and peoples organizations to partner with the DILG in reliving the spirit
of bayanihan or volunteerism in the country.

The Secretary issued the call during a meeting with representatives of various social and
urban groups at the DILG Central Office recently in a bid to strengthen peoples
participation under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Even before its launch, the MASA-MASID or Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya,

Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga is already being espoused by Sueno, saying it can
significantly improve the governments unified campaign against criminality, corruption
and illegal drugs.

Sama kayo sa amin sa MASA-MASID. Ito ay parang umbrella organization ng lahat ng

organization sa barangay at volunteers groups para ma-eliminate natin iyong droga,

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korapsyon at kriminalidad, Sueno said.

The Secretary said, if Filipinos will embrace volunteerism, peace and order threats can be
thwarted and handled easily.

Napakadelikado ngayon ang banta ng terorismo at nagkaroon na nga ng bombing. Ang

mga volunteers ang kasangga natin sa komunidad. Sila ang tutulong sa atin magreport ng
mga kahina-hinalang tao at pangyayari para walang tsansa ang droga at krimen na
mangyari, he said.

Sueno added: Not only will the governments peace and order efforts be strengthened;
even the barangay units, as well as the national governments unified efforts against
irregularity, criminality and drugs can be sustained.

________________________________________

Sueno, VP Leni to work together in drug rehab

program
September 8, 2016

With the upcoming launching of the governments community-based rehabilitation

program for drug surrenderees, Secretary Ismael Mike D. Sueno of the Department of
the Interior and Local Government (DILG) found an ally in Vice President Leni Robredo
who vowed to help in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Sueno, Robredo and Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., led the fifth inter-
agency meeting on the drug rehabilitation program in the DILG-Napolcom Center in
Quezon City on Tuesday.

The meeting was very cordial, and there was a healthy exchange of ideas and discussion
on how to enhance and fast track the governments drug rehab program.
Natutuwa ako that we have come this far since our first meeting in July, said Sueno,
who was filled with enthusiasm about the program which will be launched this
September and cascaded nationwide.

He commended various agencies for developing a framework and processes as well as

establishing partnership with other sectors, including taipans and faith-based groups.
He likewise thanked Robredo for volunteering to take an active part in the program
On the other hand, Robredo expressed her support for the program and volunteered the
services of the Office of the Vice President in any possible way.

We really dont have the luxury of time. Kailangan na talaga itong pagtulung-tulungan,
said VP Robredo.

She said that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) can also help in encouraging public-
private partnership. She also emphasized the active community efforts in Naga City,
Camarines Sur against drugs.

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In response, Secretary Sueno said that the best practices of Naga shall be studied and
replicated.

Meanwhile, Evasco requested the DILG to draft an Executive Order that shall identify
agencies and define their roles in the community-based rehab program in city, municipal
and barangay level.

We have to come up with an operational plan within the level of the town and barangay.
For example, not all barangays have social workers, he pointed out.
He also ordered the DILG to consolidate estimate of needed budget in the three pillars of
the community-based rehab program.

Recently, Sueno and Evasco together with other officials met with 13 business leaders in
Malacanang and discussed how the latter can contribute to the construction of the
rehabilitation centers or the community-based rehab program.

Last month, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) pledged to donate P1-billion to the
government for the construction of new drug rehabilitation facilities.

Moreover, faith-based groups such as Caritas Manila, Jesus is Lord (JIL), Prison
Fellowship International and the Philippines for Jesus Movement (PJM) expressed their
support for the rehab program.

The provincial governments of Sultan Kudarat and Quezon have also conveyed their
willingness to donate land for the construction of a rehabilitation center in their
respective provinces.

Pillars of community rehab program

The first pillar of rehab program is called the Identification & Classification Phase where
drug surrenderees are to be profiled, screened, and referred for appropriate services
whether for treatment in rehab center or community-based.

The second pillar called Community-Based Rehabilitation Program and dubbed as Care
program is where surrenderees will undergo family care, community care, and patient
care.

The third pillar is called Aftercare, Reintegration and Transformation Support for
Recovering Drug Dependents. Its objective is to provide interventions thru a convergence
of the services of various agencies such as sustainable livelihood program, training
programs, cash for work, arts and culture activities, among others.

According to the DOH, about 10 percent or 70,000 of the 700,000 surrenderees need to
be treated in rehab centers, while the rest can recover through the community-based
program.

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DILG lauds SMC for P1-billion pledge for drug
rehab facilities, appeals for more donations
August 16, 2016

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael D. Sueno today lauded San Miguel
Corporation (SMC) for pledging to donate P1-billion to the government for the
construction of new drug rehabilitation facilities.

We commend the SMC for being the first among the big businesses to come forward to
express its all-out support to the governments anti-drug campaign, said Sueno.

He urged other conglomerates, benevolent groups and individuals to exercise their

corporate social responsibility by contributing to the community and donating a part of
their revenues to the government.

We call on other institutional partners in the country to help in the governments efforts
to put up more drug rehabilitation centers and upgrade our drug rehab facilities, he said.

Last August 11, SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said in a statement to the media,
More significantly, our human capital is key. By supporting government in this
endeavor, we are helping create an environment that will enable various sectors of our
society to participate in and contribute to our countrys growth.

Care for surrenderers

In a related development, Sueno said an interagency community-based rehabilitation

program is set to be pilot-tested during a soft launching this month.

He said the planned community-based rehabilitation is aptly to be named CARE

program because it involves healing in the patients physical, psychological and
neurological dimensions. The program will also cater to their spiritual needs, as well
extend the needed social support.

Surrenderers are people needing our help. For them to yield to authorities means that
they are willing to go back to the fold of law and they trust the government to help them
recover, said Sueno.

He said surrenderers will be evaluated for counseling, and will have the chance to
undergo vocational training for increased livelihood opportunities, and do alternative
activities such as community service, sports, arts and music.

The DILG Secretary said that the interagency committee on illegal drugs is currently
finalizing the process of identifying and classifying surrenderers for appropriate treatment
and rehabilitation based on their profiling results. They can then be referred to a
community-based or out-patient service facility. Those needing extreme care and
attention due to the severity of their addiction can be referred to a mental health
institution or a hospital.

He shared that the President will soon issue an executive order on the treatment and
rehabilitation of drug dependents.

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MASA MASID

For the community care, the Ugnayan ng Barangay at mga Simbahan (UBAS) will be
tapped to facilitate and mobilize MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya,
Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga) program.

UBAS is a strategic partnership of barangays, the Church and other faith-based

organizations, and the DILG for good governance and for common good.

MASA MASID program is a convergence of the existing UBAS Barangay Action Teams
(BATs) with the member civil society organizations of the barangay-based institutions,
particularly the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), to advocate crime
prevention, security, and transparency and accountability in the barangay.

Sueno stated that in the community care programs, local resources as well as
professionals who will volunteer their services will be tapped for the conduct of seminars
and rehab activities.

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