Supporting the thrust of the present administration to eradicate corruption, criminality and illegal drugs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government IX will hold the regional launching of MASA MASID, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga, on Thursday, November 10, at Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City.

MASA MASID is a barangay-based program that seeks to engage various members of the community into a unifying drive for the fight against criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs. It is composed of members coming from faith-based organizations; Liga ng mga Brangay, PNP, City/Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) with MASA MASID Team, faith-based and civic organizations, NGOs, Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), Barangay Peace and Order Council (BPOC)  and other community volunteers as members in the barangay level.

 Specifically it aims to intensify the advocacy and education campaigns in the community level, mobilize the community on gathering information by installing a reporting mechanism on illegal drug activities in the locality, mobilize support and encourage sharing of available local resources to hasten the implementation of community-based rehabilitation program. Moreover, the program enables to create an environment encouraging collaboration among the community partners to effectively implement the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program. 

DILG IX regional and field officers headed by Regional Director Paisal O. Abutazil will be spearheading the conduct of the event with the attendance of Secretary Ismael Sueno as the keynote speaker.

Furthermore, Provincial Governors from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, along with  local chief executives, PNP, PDEA, MRRD NECC, and other multi-sectors all over the region were duly invited to participate and show support for MASA MASID.

The regional launching will start at 8:00 in the morning and will be followed by the regional conference on the DILG New Priority Programs and Projects and Updates on other DILG programs for field officers in the afternoon.