LANAO DEL NORTE, Sep. 25 — Guided by the firm belief that “no one is above the law, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., is resolute in its mission to uphold peace, order, and public safety.

Secretary Abalos made the statement during the celebration of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Congress 2024 in the province’s Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium.

Considering that Lanao del Norte is no stranger to disasters and conflict posed by warring forces, he lauded the province and its leadership under Governor Imelda  ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo, for their efforts towards peace and harmony as development became increasingly evident.

“Napakaganda at napakagaling ng probinsya ng Lanao del Norte… Mayroon kaming Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG). Ito ang selyo ng kabutihan sa paglilingkod ng bayan; marami itong hanay:  kalusugan, peace and order, disaster preparedness, at iba pa. Noong 2023, ang Lanao del Norte ay isa sa mga recipients ng SGLG,” he said.

Secretary Abalos congratulated the province and further reported on the significant steps being taken by the DILG, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration to address national security, the drug menace, insurgency, disasters and calamities, among others.

Stronger, safer nation for all Filipinos

By working closely with the local government units and law enforcement, Secretary Abalos emphasized that the DILG continues to counter insurgency and violent extremism through its key role in the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).  Through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), he said that the DILG has successfully supported the surrender and reintegration of former rebels. He also added that the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) complements these efforts by delivering essential infrastructure and livelihood projects to conflict-affected areas.

Secretary Abalos then pointed out that approximately P33 billion worth of illegal drugs were already seized in the administration’s first two years, which was “a 700% increase from previous years and with minimal loss of life.”

He likewise highlighted the holistic crime prevention approaches rooted in community engagement under the Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program of the national government that led to a significant decrease in drug-related cases.  Moreover, he cited that in recent months, the DILG has also played a crucial role in the arrest of high-profile criminals, including the apprehension of Chinese fugitive Alice Guo and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy.

After delivering his keynote message, Secretary Abalos then led the ceremonial turnover of the coffee table book, “The Convergence Initiative on MILF Community Development Plans Harmonization”.

Secretary Abalos remains focused on uniting these initiatives and programs to build a stronger, safer nation for all Filipinos.

Youth engagement for nat’l development

Ramping up efforts to engage the youth in the fight against drug abuse through the BIDA program, Secretary Abalos also visited the North Central Mindanao College (NCMC) in Lala, Lanao de Norte.  He shared that ending drug use starts with young people and their families. Through programs that promote civic participation, leadership training, and volunteerism, Secretary Abalos is mobilizing the next generation to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.

“Always choose right over wrong, ethics over compromise and truth over popularity. Kahit anong mangyari na hindi mo alam, basta alam mo sa puso mo na tama ang ginagawa mo, huwag kang matakot,” he said.

From combatting drugs and insurgency to supporting community development and the reintegration of former rebels, the department’s message is clear: no individual, regardless of influence or stature, is above the law, and every Filipino deserves a chance at peace and progress.