Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: Muralla corner Recoletos Sts., Intramuros, Manila Fax: 527-7534 Website: http://www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp Author: Rico C. Navarro ANTI-DRUG AWARDS SET FOR TOP L.G.U.'s Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Alfredo S. Lim and Undersecretary Narciso Santiago Jr. announced yesterday that a search has been launched for the country's best performing city, municipality, and barangay in the campaign against illegal drugs. Cities, municipalities, and barangays found to be drug-free will be given special cash awards. Lim said the award is a gift of President Estrada to local government officials and an incentive for them to actively implement measures in the fight against the menace of illegal drug abuse. "Our local chief executives will play a key role in the successful implementation of the program," Lim said. He said the institutionalization of a system of providing incentives and awards is designed to propel local officials and their constituents to perform better and achieve a tradition of work excellence for a drugs-free society. The DILG secretary said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has allotted P10 million for the administrative and operational requirements of the awards program upon the instruction of President Estrada. Santiago said the presidential award is part of the government's comprehensive guides to action against illegal drugs which were formulated jointly by the DILG, the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center, the youth sector, and the various local government units. Santiago explained that the presidential awards shall be divided into three categories: best performer city, best perfomer municipality, and best perfomer barangay. He said local government units will be provided with the guidelines on other details of the awards program. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst