Cotabato City gov't backs DILG's MASA-MASID

COTABATO CITY - Mayor Frances Cynthia
Guiani-Sayadi of Cotabato City hasexpressed the commitment of the local government of Cotabato to the MASA MASID program during its regional launching held in General Santos City, Thursday.

MASA MASID or Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga is a program
of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that aims to encourage
communities in the whole country to take a proactive stance in the government’s
fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and
criminalities.
DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said
that through the MASA MASID program, citizens and other concerned sectors can
help the government in its campaign to eradicate crimes and illegal drugs in
the country.

We believe that peace and order is a shared
responsibility of all Filipinos , the secretary added.

In Cotabato City, the local
government has already been implementing the PNP-LGU Joint Ronda wherein
elements of the city police, barangays officials and tanods, and other security
staff of the city government are going around city streets and communities
every night to ensure the strict implementation of the curfew for minors and to
increase police visibility in strategic areas, which later on resulted to the
arrest of more than one hundred individuals who are involved in the use and
trade of illegal drugs.

Guiani-Sayadi even joined the nightly ronda to
personally witness the operation and to make sure that everything is in order
and in accordance to the law. Since she assumed the city's top post in September,Guiani-Sayadi also strengthened the ronda by enjoining the
participation of different purok leaders in every barangay.

We need every help we can get from our
force multipliers to make sure that these criminal elements will not have their
chance of creating chaos and violence in our city, Guiani-Sayadi said.

She
presented all of these efforts during the program wherein local chief executives
from the provinces, cities, and municipalities were in attendance. Also present
were representatives from the DILG and other national government agencies.
In her message during the
launching program, she expressed her support to the program for she
believes that it will benefit both the local government unit and its
constituents since it encourages efforts of everybody.
In behalf of our city, I manifest and declare
our commitment and support to the MASA MASID program. Our city is also faced
with problems when it comes to illegal drugs and criminalities and through this
program, Cotabateños will be encouraged and also become empowered in fighting
illegal drugs, criminalities and corruption, Guiani-Sayadi said.

MASA MASID has four main thrusts
and these are information and education campaign in communities for government
programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality creation of a
reporting mechanism on illegal drug-related activities formulation of community-based
rehabilitation programs and reviving the spirit of volunteerism by creating a
volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for
change.