FDAPP LAUNCHED IN NEW LUCENA, ILOILO

The Family Drug Abuse Prevention Program (FDAPP) was jointly launched
by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field
Office VI and the Local Government Unit of New Lucena, Iloilo recently.

"DSWD has piloted this project which is a community- based preventive
program designed to educate and prepare families in particular about
the adverse effects of drug abuse. Initially , this was piloted in
Bacolod City and this is now being replicated in Region VI with two
municipalities accepting the project as replication areas- Oton and
now here in New Lucena," said Regional Director Teresita S. Rosales
of DSWD.

The activity, conducted on June 26, 2009 at the Municipal Auditorium
of New Lucena, was also a way of observing the International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme, "Drug
Control" and slogan "Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your
community. No place for Drugs."

The activity's highlight was the signing of the Memorandum of
Agreement between Rosales and Municipal Mayor Liecel Mondejar Seville.

"Actually the DSWD's role is to assist New lucena to train more
families and volunteers about the ill effects of drug abuse. One of
the objectives is to create awareness and educate families on the
underlying context of drug abuse problem and develop capabilities of
families especially on poverty and life skills towards the promotion
of a drug free home and community. We congratulates New Lucena for
initiating this preventive program that will benefit our community
and families, added Seville.

The DSWD is the lead agency in implementing the Family Solidarity
Development Programme in the Prevention of Drug Abuse based on AO No.
16, Series of 2004.

The activity was geared towards increasing the public awareness on
the effects of drug abuse and on the government's policy to care for
the well-being of the people.

FDAPP is a community based prevention program designed to educate and
prepare families in particular and communities in general about the
adverse effects of drug abuse. It aims to:

* Create awareness and educate families on the underlying causes of
drug abuse problems and its ill effects;

* Develop capabilities of families especially on parenting and life
skills towards the promotion of a drug free home and community;

* Organize and mobilize families to consolidate efforts in support of
the program and of families at risk;

* Promote and strengthen Filipino family values which uphold the
importance of family ties, unity and growth; and

* Provide support services to families for it to be able to cope up
with their needs through linkages and referral with other
agencies/organizations.

Others present include Hon. Vice Mayor Nestor Sibolinao, Sangguniang
Bayan members, Hon. Jose Eliezar Sornito, Hon. Henry Acuero, Hon.
Lorenzo Mana-ay, Hon. Samson Panican, Hon. Potenciano Imperial, Hon.
Jacinto Araneta, Hon. Nilo Balentos and Hon. Ma. Luisa Armentia, and
Deputy Chief Rogelio Solito of the New Lucena PNP.

On the other hand, the LGU is expected to provide manpower and
funding to be able to effectively implement the program.

"We all know that based on the report of the Regional Council on
Peace and Order, the Province of Iloilo is no. 1 in drug abuse
problem. Basi sa pila ka adlaw kon indi naton masabat, ma actionan
kag mag himo sang isa ka lihok para mapungan or tapnaon samtang wala
pa ini ka sulod sa aton banwa dapat may ara na kita nahimo para sa
protection sang aton mga kabataan because protection is the one of
the right of our children," said Seville.