The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) of Eastern Samar, together with key stakeholders, convened a monitoring and evaluation meeting facilitated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under OIC Provincial Director Engr. Jesus Jeremy D. Bagares on June 16 at La Luna Beach Resort in Guiuan.
The meeting was held to assess the province’s preparedness for the 2026 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) performance audit and to ensure sustained compliance with national standards and performance indicators.
During the assessment, the council reviewed current ADAC functionality ratings and identified areas requiring immediate improvement to further enhance overall provincial performance.
Based on provincial reports, Eastern Samar currently records 14 highly functional ADACs and nine moderately functional ADACs, with no low-performing councils reported.
However, officials underscored the need to ensure continued compliance to avoid the issuance of low functionality ratings for two consecutive years, which will serve as a basis for the imposition of appropriate DILG intervention and the implementation of corresponding corrective measures in accordance with existing rules and guidelines..
The council stressed strict adherence to audit requirements, including the conduct of regular quarterly meetings, complete and accurate documentation, and the proper utilization of anti-drug abuse funds.
One of the key concerns raised during the meeting was the low utilization of the province’s anti-drug abuse fund.
Members of the council agreed on the need to strengthen program implementation and improve fund allocation to support community-based anti-drug initiatives.
ADAC performance is generally assessed based on organizational functionality, frequency of meetings, budget utilization, program implementation, and sustained support for anti-drug advocacy efforts.
The meeting also included a review of the status of drug-affected barangays in the province. As of December 2025, nine barangays were classified as drug-affected, while intensified efforts continue toward the maintenance and expansion of drug-free communities.
Officials likewise highlighted the Sustainable Development and Education on Communities Program as a key initiative supporting drug prevention, education, and community participation against illegal drugs.
In her message, Vice Gov. Maricar Sison-Goteesan, representing Gov. RV Evardone, emphasized the importance of carefully analyzing evaluation results to identify both strengths and gaps in implementation.
She noted that the findings will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Office of the Governor to guide policy directions and strengthen the province’s ADAC performance moving forward. (TAC-JDM)
